These are the five most awarded Patios de Córdoba that you cannot missMANUEL MURILLO
Do you visit the Courtyards of Córdoba this year? Any connoisseur will tell you that there is nothing like getting lost along the six routes that run through the labyrinthine streets of the historic center of Córdoba and discovering at every step the 52 venues in competition this 2024, plus the 11 institutional category. A unique opportunity to get lost among these orchards of water, plants and flowers hidden between whitewashed walls and that hold the title of Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
However, you do not have enough time to visit the 63 spaces that open their doors to the public and you want to get it right yes or yes, and capture the essence of the essentials of the Patios of Córdoba, you can guide yourself through the most famous venues, those that accumulate more visits year after year, or by the most recognized, which are the ones that have the greatest number of distinctions in the municipal competition. Today it’s time to talk about the latter, the most awarded. Those patios that you cannot miss on your visit to Córdoba and that open their doors through the May Holiday from the 2nd to the 12th of this month.
2023 winners
In last year’s edition, the first prize in Ancient Architecture went to Dye 9while in Modern Architecture for Duartas 2and the prize for Singular Patio went to Saint Basil 44. Besides, Pastor 2 He achieved the coveted Honorable Mention, the best financially endowed award.
The most awarded since 1933
So that you don’t miss details, here are the five most awarded patios in Córdoba since the municipal contest was established in 1933.
San Juan de Palomares 11
It is the patio with the most recognition, treasuring 37 awards and mentions among those that stand out twelve first prizes, 6 second prizes and 4 third prizes. These awards and their special characteristics in the Singular Patios category. It is part of route 3 San Lorenzo.
SINGULAR PATIO (care by a collective)
AWARDS
Honorable mention: 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1965. First prize: 1961, 1971, 1986, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001 and 2002. Second prize: 1944, 1946, 1967, 1970, 1994 and 2000 Other recognitions : Third prize (1933, 1956, 1969 and 1991); Fourth (1935, 1947, 1948, 1966, 1968 and 1987); Fifth (1990); Eighth (1936); Accésit (1951 and 1992) and Natural Lighting (1999).
CAREGIVERS
The Claveles and Gitanilllas caretakers association, which has its headquarters in the patio and is chaired by Rafael Barón.
THE DETAIL
The corner of the sink and the well, under the balcony, with all the traditional and popular flavor of those times where three families came to live.
PLANT
The veteran Lunero lemon tree has been doing great with the current spring of alternating weeks of rain, cold and heat, and it is producing huge lemons.
Moroccans 6
Another of the classics and one of the references in the category of Ancient Architecture that this year debuts as Patio Singular with a history of 26 prizes and awards, in a list of honors that includes 9 first prizes. It is part of route 2 of Santa Marina-San Agustín.
SINGULAR PATIO (care by group) Category A (more than 100 meters)
AWARDS
Honorable mention: 2014. First prize: 2000, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2018, 2021 and 2022 (already in the Singular Patio category). Second prize: 1999, 2004, 2008, 2019 and 2023. Other recognitions: Third prize (2001), fourth (1988, 1990, 2015 and 2016), second prize (2002, 2003, 2005 and 2011) and use of elements (1998 and 1999).
CAREGIVERS
Community of families, artisan workshops and property ownership.
THE DETAIL
The laundry room and kitchen are so well preserved that it is easy to imagine what life was like in this large patio until the mid-20th century.
PLANT
The enormous bougainvilleas, which after years of pampering have become a colorful natural awning, promise to be splendid this May.
Moroccans 6
Pastor 2
Included on route 3 of San Lorenzo, it has been participating in the contest for two decades, during which time it has accumulated five first prizes in the Modern Architecture category and a total of 17 recognitions.
MODERN ARCHITECTURE Category D (41 to 61 square meters).
AWARDS
Honorable mention: 2023. First prize: 2005, 2009, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2022. Second prize: 2010 and 2018. Other recognitions: Third prize (2014 and 2015); Fifth prize (2021) and second prize (2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2013).
CARER
Rafael Baron.
PLANT
Barón not only takes care of each plant, but also its arrangement, with compositions of colors and textures in all spaces and from all angles.
THE DETAIL
It is always difficult to cite a single detail here. This year, everything revolves around the 25th anniversary of the Virgin of Health, with a small chapel in the patio.
Pastor 2
Vines 6
On route 2 of Santa Marina-San Agustín, it belongs to the patios of Ancient Architecture and has 32 recognitions in the Patios Festival, of them three are first prizes.
ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE Category B (from 81 to 100 square meters).
AWARDS
Honorable Mention: 2018. First prize: 1969, 1976 and 2015. Second prize: 1974, 1977, 1978, 2010 and 2011. Other recognitions: Third prize (1949, 1980, 2003, 2005 and 2016); Fourth prize (1972 and 1979); Fifth (1975 and 2023); Sixth (1971, 1973 and 2014); Eighth (2017 and 2019); Accésit (2002, 2006, 2007 and 2013) and Conservation of Elements (2001).
CAREGIVERS
Rafael and Javier Lucena continue the work in the yard of their mother, Chari Cantillo, who died in December.
PLANT
The enormous asparagus tree, awarded by El Botánico, and the lemon tree with gigantic fruits stand out.
THE DETAIL
Each wall of this house, after centuries of suffering annexations and segregations, is from a different century.
Vines 6
Dye 9
Located on route 4 of San Pedro and Santiago, it won the first prize for Ancient Architecture in 2033. One more recognition that includes a list of 25 awards, including three are first prizes.
ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE Category D (41 to 61 square meters).
AWARDS
Honorable Mention: 2016. First prize: 2005, 2022 and 2023. Second prize: 2015 and 2021. Other recognitions: third (2004, 2008, 2011, 2017, 2018 and 2019), fourth (2014), fifth (1988), runner-up (1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2013), natural decoration (2000) and lighting (2001).
CAREGIVER
Ana Muñoz.
THE DETAIL
Look next to the well for the collection of ‘micropots’ in thimbles, snail shells, small plugs… Ana waters them with a syringe.
PLANT
A centuries-old fruit tree that always produced lemons until it began to produce oranges as well, and it was discovered that it was actually a grafted orange tree.
Dye 9
Schedule of the Patios of Córdoba
During the Festival, the opening and closing times of the Patios will be in the morning hours from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.and in the afternoon, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m..
