This year’s Córdoba patio festival starts today and runs until the 19th of May. During the festival home owners in the city allow visitors in to see their internal patios, decorated with flowers, climbing plants and water features, picturesque oases normally kept hidden behind heavy wooden doors.

The Córdoba Patio Festival began in 1918 and is now a big tourist draw to the World Heritage city, with its unique Mosque-Cathedral and moorish architecture. The design of the houses in Cordoba date back to Roman times and was continued by the later Moorish invaders, who built homes with a central patio filled with plants and water features to help keep the house cool, even in the height of the summer months.

The Patio contest itself is sponsored by the local council, with prizes for the best examples and the residents compete to win this prestigious award. Alongside the patio festival there are performances from the best singers and dancers, while the local fino wine from Montilla-Moriles flows freely and delicious tapas are served.
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