courtyard

A high school English teacher traveled to Córdoba , Spain. Posted some photos of the local atrium. I also thought of going on vacation to Spain.

Behind the modest, thick walls of Córdoba's houses and palaces hides a real gem: the atrium of Córdoba. They came to the country with the Romans and have been an integral element of the urban landscape ever since.

Since 1930, a courtyard festival has been held in May, and competitions have been held. For two weeks, the atrium, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, opens its doors to visitors and jurors. Attractive prizes await the owner of the most beautiful atrium!

During the Garden Festival every year, the whole city becomes a sea of flowers, in front of the door, outside the window, on the wall, and in the alley, there are flowers in full bloom.

Casually into the alley, on the snow-white walls, geraniums of various colors are hung in a random pattern.

Entering a yard casually, the flowers in the garden make people open their mouths. On the corners, railings, window lattices, and door lintels of the yard, there are colorful flowers everywhere.

The Babylonians, Greeks, Egyptians and Romans used to build their houses around a central courtyard. The latter brought this typical Mediterranean architecture to Andalusia and Córdoba. The yard provides shade and tranquility and is a meeting place for the whole family.

Although the exterior walls of the house have been kept fairly modest, the inner courtyard of the patio has been lavishly decorated with mosaics, fountains and plants since ancient times. The atrium is the same height as the house or is accessed via a few steps. Even in the Middle Ages, the atrium was still the heart of the house's construction. The Atrium of Córdoba is considered a World Heritage Site and is protected by UNESCO.

A variation of the atrium room is the "Casa de Vecinos". It was built at a time when new living space was rapidly needed after the influx of rural population into the city. The construction method is similar to the construction method of the hotel at that time, and at a price that people can afford. Many houses in these neighborhoods were built by converting old noble palaces.

Courtyard in Cordoba today

A low profile entrance leads to the atrium, first to the common areas: laundry, kitchen and toilet, as well as the entrance to each household.

The walls of the atrium are usually painted white and hung with numerous pots of geraniums, jasmines, cattails or carnations, giving the atrium a unique atmosphere and an alluring scent. There are fountains in the center or sides of the patio and stairs leading upstairs.

Floors are made of earth, marble or paved with fine mosaic tiles. Typical elements are also circular galleries on one or more sides, with arches, balustrades and balconies.

Yard festivals have been around since 1918, but only really became popular in the 1930s. The event takes place every May, just after the May 10th byte, and includes an award for the most beautiful courtyard. For two weeks in May, the participating courtyards are open to visitors. There are two categories of prizes. Vintage patios and remodeled/modern patios.

The main plants in the Spanish garden:

Orange, Lemon (Citrus spp.)

Fig (Ficus carica)

Camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora)

Mediterranean Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)

Rose (Rosa spp.)

Coriander (Coriandrum sarivum)

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum)

Many flowers are hung in high places that cannot be reached by arms, so the Spaniards invented a tool for watering flowers by tying a small bucket on a long wooden stick.

In some parts of Spain, the climate is arid and the summer is hot, so pools, canals, fountains, etc. are often built, so that the garden is humid and cool.

In some places, ponds or canals have both irrigation functions, and shrubs, trees, and flowers and plants are usually planted between the pond and surrounding buildings.

What is touching is the mentality of loving gardening life. Eliminate old porcelain cups, wine bottles, and even eaten shells, which can be used to grow flowers and plants.

As long as there is a heart that loves flowers, anything can be made of flowers. As long as you have a heart that loves flowers, your garden will be full of flowers.