Festival of colors on the Spanish patio. Beautiful life of ordinary Spaniards

Each year, with the advent of May, in the city of Cordoba (Andalusia, Spain), the time comes for the most beautiful festival of flowers and plants in the world, which takes place in the cozy courtyards of the city, or, as they are called, a patio.

The climate in Cordoba is very hot and dry, which is why even the ancient Romans came up with the idea of creating patios that were heavily hung with vegetation to give freshness and coolness. So an amazing tradition was born, which residents have supported since 1932. And anyone can freely come to enjoy the blooming beauty.

Any patio with any floral arrangements, fountains, hedges and decorations, flower pots of all shades and sizes can take part in the competition. In other words, the imagination of the owners of the courtyards is unlimited. The only condition is the presence of a well or a pool of water.

The jury members approach the assessment process quite strictly and scrupulously; they look at the variety of flower varieties, the beauty of compositions, saturation, attractiveness and correct placement.

During the festival, patio owners demonstrate the splendor of natural flowers and wildlife, therefore, they can be disqualified for the presence of artificial plants or fruits.

The owner of the courtyard that won the competition is awarded an honorary distinction and a cash prize.

The event also hosts a competition for the most beautiful balcony of the city. The winner will be the one who decorates his balcony with flowers collected in the most delightful and colorful compositions.

In addition, according to ancient tradition, the festival is accompanied by a wide variety of dances and songs. Arriving in Cordoba at this time, you will find yourself surrounded not only by the pleasing eyes of floral beauties, but also plunge into a real holiday. Good-natured residents invite you to dance flamenco, offer drinks and delicious food, Spanish folk songs are heard everywhere. All this makes the Patio Festival one of the best holidays in Spain. Perhaps that is why this stunning event is included in the list of intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO.