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

© David M G/Alam

From generation to generation. The Cordovan “patios” (courtyards”)

The decoration of the “patios” (courtyards) is almost a religion in Cordoba. It is not clear where it comes from but it’s a tradition strongly rooted in the culture of this Andalusian city in the south of Spain. What you see in our image today is a sculpture located in San Basilio district paying tribute to those who take care of these vertical gardens that shine with a particular splendour during spring time.

Sculpted out of bronze by the artist José Manuel Belmonte, the set portrays a grandfather with his grandson placing flower-pots on the wall to symbolise the past and the future of a tradition transmitted from one generation to the next for more than a century. There are dozens of flowery courtyards throughout the old town, which represent better than any other thing the identity and pride of Cordovan citizens and their way of living. Since 2012 these “patios” are recognised as a Cultural Heritage protected by UNESCO.