ARCHIVED - Córdoba Patio Festival to run from 3-16 May, Covid-19 permitting
The Andalusian city has been holding the competition, which is included on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, since 1921. Last year it had to be postponed until October due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Córdoba city council has announced that the traditional Courtyards Festival (Fiesta de los Patios), with up to 50 courtyards taking part, will be held from 3-16 May, as long as the coronavirus pandemic permits!. The May Crosses festival, which normally runs alongside it, however, has been cancelled as health and safety measures cannot be guaranteed.
A councillor explained on Monday (22 February) that the authorities are doing their best to allow events deemed safe to go ahead but unfortunately cannot guarantee health and safety at the traditional Crosses festival, which brings large crowds together in public places to see the parades and flower-adorned crosses.
The Patio Competition is another matter, as the council reported following the 2020 edition which was put back to October due to the pandemic.
It was found to be safe and viable as it is possible to maintain social distancing, check visitors’ temperatures and enforce the use of masks and hand gel simply by ensuring somebody is monitoring the entry point into each of the courtyards.
The courtyards taking part will be open for visits from 3-16 May from 11.30 am to 2 pm and from 6 to 10 pm, apart from Sunday 16 when doors will close at 8.30 pm, as long as the authorities do not make changes to restrictions that affect it. If the situation worsens and the festival needs to be postponed, it will once again be put back to October.
Prizes for winning courtyards generally range between 1,000 and 3,000 euros and are very much coveted by owners of the properties, who all work hard to make theirs as beautiful and spectacular as possible, dressing the courtyards of their homes with flowers and plants.
If you are interested in going along to the Fiesta de los Patios de Córdoba, then it’s highly recommended to book accommodation in advance. Normally it’s necessary to book time slots in advance as visitor numbers are always limited. During October last year this was waived, but it’s worth keeping an eye on the official webpage of the organiser for details regarding the festival this year to check what format it will take…providing it goes ahead.