The twelve patios
Each with its own design, planting and mood — from plain paving to a riot of flowers.
Jocelyn Erskine-Kellie from London, UK — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Kent Wang from Barcelona, Spain — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Kent Wang from Barcelona, Spain — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Phil Venditti from University Place, Washington, USA — CC BY 2.0
The Palacio de Viana is an aristocratic house in Córdoba best known for its courtyards: twelve of them, each with its own design, planting and atmosphere, and a garden at the end. Hence its nickname, the museum of patios. The Andalusi courtyard is not decoration but an architectural answer to a hot climate: the house closes to the outside and opens onto an inner court with water, plants and shade, so the air cools and circulates. Córdoba is more famous for this than any other city, and holds an annual patio festival in May when private houses open to visitors. The house itself is furnished with the possessions of the family who lived here for centuries, and is seen on a separate tour. You can buy a courtyards-only ticket, which is cheaper and the better value.
Each with its own design, planting and mood — from plain paving to a riot of flowers.
The oldest and plainest, and once the working service courtyard of the house.
A large garden at the end of the route, wider and calmer than the courtyards.
A practical demonstration of how a courtyard cools a house in a hot climate — architecture centuries before air conditioning.
Plaza de Don Gome 2, 14001 Córdoba
Church of Santa MarinaA thirteenth-century church north of the old city, one of the group built in Cór2 minutes walk4.5
Roman Temple of CórdobaThe Roman Temple of Córdoba is a row of white marble columns rising beside the c6 minutes walk4.1
Plaza de la CorrederaA rectangular square closed on all four sides by matching arcaded buildings with7 minutes walk4.1
Museum of Fine ArtsCórdoba's Fine Arts Museum inhabits the city's loveliest literary address: the P10 minutes walk4.5
Minaret of San JuanA tenth-century minaret standing today against the church of San Juan de los Cab12 minutes walk4.4Courtyards only, for most visitors: they are what the place is famous for and its finest part, the ticket is cheaper, and you walk them freely without waiting for a tour. The full ticket suits anyone interested in period furniture and family collections.
May without question: the flowers are at their peak and Córdoba's patio festival opens many private houses to visitors for free. April and June are good too. Summer is very hot with fewer flowers, and in winter the patios are green but without colour.
An hour and a quarter for the courtyards alone, taken slowly. Two hours with the house tour. It sits a little off the usual tourist route, so it is quieter than Córdoba's other sights.