The courtyards are an important part of the culture and history of Cordoba. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, they are a must when visiting the Andalusian city.
There is nothing better than a guided tour to get to know the most peculiar ones, their history and peculiarities, like the ones we offer you here at Guruwalk.
The courtyards of Cordoba are one of the oldest urban spaces in the world, with 8500 years of history. For this reason, they have been declared a world heritage site by Unesco.
It is important to keep in mind that these courtyards were not only used by the Spanish, but also by many other cultures that shared this territory at some point in history.
San Basilio is one of the best known neighbourhoods due to the large and beautifully decorated Cordoban patios.
San Basilio is located in the south of Cordoba and as a former Jewish quarter, it has many "Cordoban" style patios. It is one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods because of its narrow streets and small squares with orange trees. It is also home to several traditional restaurants with delicious cuisine.
There are two entrances to this area: from Avenida General Pardiñas or from Calle Elvira. The first entrance offers a view of the Tannery Museum, while in Elvira you can visit El Torreón de San Basilio, which is an old Muslim fortress from the 12th century.
Did you know that every year there is a Festival centred on the Cordoban courtyards?
The Cordoba Courtyards Festival is an annual festival. The event showcases the best of the city's courtyard culture.
The most traditional patios are found in the Mezquita-Cathedral, which like the patios is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Mosque Cathedral was built in the 8th century and is one of the oldest and most important mosques in existence.
In addition, there are many other architectural gems to be found throughout the historic centre of Cordoba, as well as restaurants with patio offerings that reflect not only Spanish but also international cuisine.