6, Parras Street.

It is said in Córdoba that the Courtyard on 6, Parras Street breathes poetry. In fact, here is where famous poet from Córdoba Pablo García Baena was born, as can be read from a plaque hanging on the façade.

It is very difficult to determine the year when the house was built, as the only written evidence we have is a donation book, written in old Spanish, where we can guess by translating some dates, that it could have been built around 1530. This house, as well as the nearby houses, are known to have been only one, which was originally used as a hospital, it was later a convent, and finally it had a residential use, probably due to the expropriations.

Rosario told us that the life of this courtyard has changed a lot throughout the years: “in those times, when seven families lived here, we were happy despite the calamities, because we got along with so little“. “Besides, we looked after each other so much that if someone hadn’t been out of his or her room, we didn’t hesitate to call and see if he or she was OK. Nowadays I can’t complain either, because I’m lucky enough to have the rest of the neighbours on Parras Street and we are a great family“.

From an architectonic point of view, the Courtyard on 6, Parras Street has not changed much; in fact, when Pablo García Baena comes to visit it, who left it at the age of 7, “he says it is just as he remembers it from his childhood, the only things I have removed are washing sinks for clothes and the communal bathroom“. One of the treasures of the house is, undoubtedly, the old well, “nobody has been able to tell me when it is dated, but I know it is half Roman, half Arab“.

As for the vegetation, we can highlight a magnificent hydrangea, “nobody has a hydrangea like this in Córdoba, it’s on the floor and has a lot of flowers“, says proudly, as well as when she mentions the four-metre asparagus plant, which was awarded the prize to the most unique plant in 2010. Like in other cases, the courtyard has a fruit tree, an Arab tradition; in this case, it is a lemon tree, “which gives our drinks a special sour flavour“, adds with a smile.

Rosario and her courtyard have received plenty of recognition along the years, but we will highlight one of them, the “Gitanilla de Oro” (Golden Geranium), awarded by the association of carers of courtyards, bars and balconies “Claveles y Gitanillas” (Carnations and Geraniums).

If you are wondering what to visit in Córdoba, a good option would be the Courtyards in Córdoba, choosing one of our guided tours. This way you will learn everything about the Courtyard on 6, Parras Street. Choosing to do high quality sightseeing is choosing ArtenCórdoba.

Text: J.A.S.C.