Adverse weather forecasts, announced by the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), materialized on Saturday, May 9, forcing visitors to use umbrellas and coats. However, this did not deter tourists, who formed long queues to access the emblematic patios of the Alcázar Viejo.
The San Basilio neighborhood, considered the birthplace of the festival held since 1921, was the focal point of the crowds. Dozens of patios along this route, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco in 2012, showcase the owners' mastery in caring for flowers such as geraniums, gitanillas, and bougainvillea.
“"It is common for these queues to form even with today's weather. This area, regardless of the weather, is the most popular and will always have the most people and the highest flow of visitors."
A patio controller, with eight years of experience, highlighted the persistence of queues, even half an hour before the venues opened at 11:00 AM. He mentioned that daily attendance ranges between 1,500 and 1,700 visitors, a number that significantly increases during the first weekend. He also noted the presence of numerous foreign tourists, including French, Italian, and German visitors, alongside national and local attendees.
The Córdoba Municipal Patios Festival 2026 will run until Sunday, May 17, with 53 competing patios and 11 additional institutional ones. Visiting hours are from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
