Courtyard of the Bars

It is said that the Courtyard of the Bars is one of the few examples in the palace where architecture prevails over botany, and it is true, since it was conceived to impress, in order for the passerby to observe the social and economic status of the family who owned the place.

In order to do that, Gómez de Figueroa y Córdoba, third master of Villaseca, requested from the master builder Bartolomé de los Reyes y Cueto the carrying out of the works around the year 1624. The result was a magnificent façade facing the outside, with Mannerist style, whose main attraction was the three openings decorated with foundry bars.

Since its building, the Courtyard of the Bars has always received special attention from the different owners of the palace, as they knew it should always be kept in an attractive way.

The Courtyard of the Bars has an almost rectangular floor and the ground is covered by the typical small stones from Córdoba, divided in white and black rectangles. There is a circular fountain in the centre, made in red marble and with a water fountain at the top. In line around the fountain there are some bases made of yellow eroded stone, which are used as pedestals for some pots of silver ragwort. As a background for this amazing scene, the walls of the courtyard are covered with orange trees, lemon trees and bergamot oranges, everything as part of the garden, a vegetable tradition typical of our city, consisting of locating a plant next to the wall and then make a garden out of its branches.

As a curiosity, the marquises of Viana had as a custom, year after year, to watch the procession of the Virgin of Anguish along Rejas de Don Gome Street. The marquises stood behind the bars and watched the brotherhood pass. It is said that the pace did not only stop in front of the bars, but it also turned slightly towards the courtyard, as if bowing. According to José Benítez: “Since the year 44 until three years ago, the Marquises came every Holy Week“.

If you wish to know the Courtyard of the Bars of Viana Palace, do not hesitate to hire one of our guided tours. 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.