“In this courtyard, we have had very varied characters, such as actress Carmen Sevilla, the comedians Dúo Sacapuntas, bullfighter Curro Romero and his wife Carmen Tello, the Duchess of Alba, or Her Majesty the Queen Sofía“, according to Ana de Austria, the kind and friendly owner of the Courtyard on 22, San Basilio Street in the popular neighbourhood Alcázar Viejo. She has anecdotes from all of them, although she affectionately remembers Carmen Sevilla, as she had the idea of watering the pots in the courtyard with a hose… and she obviously ended up soaked and had to get changed.

Ana arrives at this house with her husband (who died some years ago), Francisco Leyva, in 1961. Back then, there were 9 families living there, and obviously they had to share many communal spaces, such as the washing sink. She tells us: “The one who was late could not wash…“.

In 1990 the building experienced a great remodelling, as it was divided in three houses. Therefore, the family made a great effort to preserve certain aspects of the building, such as the pebbled-flooring typical from Córdoba, as well as two heraldic family crests, that of the Leyvas and the Austrias. Ana claims to come from the Royal House of Leopoldo de Austria.

The first thing that catches our attention when entering the courtyard is the old gate, dated in 1898, which leads us to an entrance portico formed by arches on pillars, and once inside there is a stairway on the right, which can be climbed to get to the rooms on the first floor.

From the courtyard I would highlight the Arab well, which, according to Ana de Austria, “drinks from the very same water that supplies the fountain in the Orange Tree Courtyard“ in the Mosque-Cathedral; but especially the great amount of pots with the colours of Andalusia, green and white.

This courtyard has received many awards since 1977, when it entered the contest for the first time, most of them due to the great variety of flowers: cactus, geraniums, madonna lilies, begonias, salad plants, sweet mock-oranges, fleurs de lis… She added: “In spring, the courtyard resembles a colourful Manila shawl”.

If you wish to know the Courtyards in Córdoba do not hesitate to hire one of our guided tours. We will pay special attention to the Courtyard on 22, San Basilio Street. We are experts in the interpretation of the historical heritage from Córdoba. If you have chosen to do sightseeing in Córdoba, choose a high quality option, choose ArtenCórdoba.

Text: J.A.S.C.