Bronze sculpture of child and his grandfather caring for plants and flowers, Cordoba, Spain

© David M G/Alam

A growing tradition. The colourful courtyards of Córdoba

Elaborately decorated courtyards filled with colourful flowers and plants set against whitewashed walls are a deep-rooted tradition in the Andalusian city of Córdoba, in the south of Spain. Our homepage sculpture, in the San Basilio district, pays tribute to those who take care of these vertical gardens that burst into life in the spring.

This bronze sculpture, by the artist José Manuel Belmonte, captures a man and his grandson placing flower-pots on the wall, representing a tradition that has been passed between generations for more than a century. There are dozens of flowery ‘patios’ throughout the old town, which, since 2012 have been recognised by Unesco as examples of ‘intangible cultural heritage’.