The western wall of the Main Courtyard or Reception has a small door leading to the Stables of Viana Palace. It is a rectangular space arranged in three small naves separated by series of four round arches, over plain-shafted columns with Tuscan capital. The space is connected to the outside through a door in Santa Isabel Street, the ground is covered with typical small stones from Córdoba and it is not decorated.

In the central nave of the Stables we can highlight a beautiful 19th-century carriage decorated with paintings by, according to some, Mariano Salvador de Maella from Valencia, or by Vicente López according to others. The carriage was acquired in Écija (Seville) by José Saavedra y Salamanca, second marquis of Viana.

On the left of the carriage we can see a magnificent Arab saddle, previously located in the Gallery of the Wooden Ceiling and, according to popular tradition, it belonged to Boabdil the Young, the last Nazari sultan of Granada, who was himself a prisoner in the Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs, as we mentioned in the section dedicated to this exceptional monument.

On both sides of the Stables there are twenty-six wooden mangers, with a capacity for sixteen horses, and over them there is a wooden base with seventy-eight items of iron bits, violins, stirrup and riding whips from the French and English horse schools. On the walls, we can point out the collections of harnesses, belts, spurs and other items for this purpose.

The glass cabinets keep suits of the servants of the palace, collections of different kinds of spurs, stable men’s hats, and other kinds of hats.

Two large coats of arms belonging to the Houses of Viana and Roca cover the faces of the wall located on both sides of the exit for carriages.

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

Text: J.A.S.C.