C/ Marroquíes, 6.

We begin the third itinerary with one of the most well-known and, at the same time, most special patios in the competition: the Patio at Calle Marroquíes, 6.

And I say special because it is not just a patio, but in fact, an entire gardened street with more than twenty homes and several artisan workshops: ceramics, antique furniture restoration, musical instrument making… and even a tailor’s shop, whose door bears a sign that reads: “How beautiful is the Patio at Calle Marroquíes, with its geraniums and those lovely wallflowers. Marroquíes number 6, where you will find the king of tailoring. Tailor, Juan Pérez Latorre, go to that tailor and save.” Additionally, at number 14, you can find the Neighborhood Association of Santa Marina.

Architecture and Common Spaces

We enter the patio through a gate-door, the ground is cement, and the houses are on both sides of the street, all of them single-story. One open-air room stands out with nine washing sinks and a well—this is a former common area, like in the old days. Few people wash clothes by hand anymore, but this remains an exceptional testimony to how our society has evolved. There are also shared kitchens and toilets, which feel like time has stood still.

Vegetation and Ornamental Elements

Roughly in the middle of the patio, we find a lintel covered in flowers—a huge bougainvillea, it’s magnificent. It brings a unique beauty to the patio, along with climbing roses and cacti, but seeing a bougainvillea like that…

In the Patio at Calle Marroquíes, the flowerpots are not painted blue, although the door and window frames are—for the neighbors, painting the pots would take attention away from the plants… To each their own! You can spot a multitude of floral species: asparagus ferns, dahlias, pinks, “mother-in-law and daughter-in-law” (colorful lilies that grow in pairs back to back), crown of thorns, yellow jasmines, trailing geraniums, pelargoniums, busy lizzies…

Awards and Recognition

The Patio at Calle Marroquíes is, without a doubt, the most awarded patio of the 21st century, specifically in the category of historic architecture. It won first prize in 2000, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014. “We reinvest the prize money in gradually improving the house,” one of the owners tells us.

Visiting the Patios of Córdoba

If you wish to discover the Patios of Córdoba, don’t hesitate to book one of our guided tours. We will pay special attention to the Patio at Calle Marroquíes, 6. We are experts in the interpretation of Córdoba’s historical heritage. If you’ve chosen to do tourism in Córdoba, choose a quality option—choose ArtenCórdoba.

Text: J.A.S.C.