La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
Two weeks before the Patios of May, I visited the Palace of Viana and I was almost overwhelmed by the sprawling property and its gardens. The property began with a collection of medieval houses purchased in 1425. An estate was established there in 1492 and over the centuries the palace was refined, including in 1571 the design of the entrance patio (first photo below).
After wandering the property and all its patios, I have no clue how the residents and staff ever found their way around. The palace is filled with original furniture and decorations, and the rooms spill from one patio into the next. You get the sense of an entire neighborhood. In 1871, when the owner, the 9th Marquis of Villaseca, died without descendants, he named his wife as heir. She remarried in 1873 to the 1st Marquis of Viana and the palace became permanently associated with this family. King Alfonso XIII visited many times and as a claim to shame (in my opinion), Francisco Franco was friends with the 3rd Marquis and stayed in the palace in 1953 and 1962. The widow of the 3rd Marquis tried to sell the property several times around 1980, but the city of Córdoba protested and the government arranged a fee to keep it from being sold. The bank CajaSur owns it and opened it to the public in 1981.
Someone is picking up our old terrace furniture this evening. Tonight at midnight are the fireworks from the fair. I’m told we can see them from our roof, so that’s where we’ll be. My cousins arrive tomorrow around noon for a couple of days in the city. We can’t wait to see them. It’s going to be a warm and wonderful weekend.
At this very moment, I’m trying again to reach the city office about our registration. I spent 20 minutes on hold yesterday and gave up. So, I’m listening to music as I write this post. Someone just answered! She was a pleasure and gave me the extension to phone the office of Statistics, Monday or Wednesday morning. Too bad the woman in the office couldn’t have given me that extra bit of information in the first place. I’ll try again Monday. Today will be the day to hang pictures, maybe.
Dos semanas antes de los Patios de Mayo, visité el Palacio de Viana y me sentí abrumado por la extensa propiedad y sus patios. La propiedad comenzó con un conjunto de casas medievales adquiridas en 1425. En 1492 se estableció allí una finca y, con el paso de los siglos, el palacio se fue perfeccionando, incluyendo en 1571 el diseño del patio de entrada (primera foto abajo).
Después de recorrer la propiedad y todos sus patios, no tengo ni idea de cómo los residentes y el personal se orientaron. El palacio está repleto de muebles y decoraciones originales, y las habitaciones se extienden de un patio a otro. Se percibe la sensación de un barrio entero. En 1871, cuando el propietario, el IX Marqués de Villaseca, falleció sin descendencia, nombró a su esposa heredera. Ella se volvió a casar en 1873 con el I Marqués de Viana y el palacio quedó asociado permanentemente a esta familia. El rey Alfonso XIII lo visitó en numerosas ocasiones y, para vergüenza ajena (en mi opinión), Francisco Franco era amigo del III Marqués y se alojó en el palacio entre 1953 y 1962. La viuda del III Marqués intentó vender la propiedad varias veces alrededor de 1980, pero el ayuntamiento de Córdoba protestó y el gobierno gestionó una tasa para impedir su venta. CajaSur es el banco propietario y la abrió al público en 1981.
Esta noche, alguien recogerá nuestros viejos muebles de terraza. Esta noche a medianoche son los fuegos artificiales de la feria. Me han dicho que podemos verlos desde la azotea, así que allí estaremos. Mis primos llegan mañana sobre el mediodía para pasar un par de días en la ciudad. Estamos deseando verlos. Va a ser un fin de semana cálido y maravilloso.
En este preciso momento, estoy intentando contactar de nuevo con la oficina municipal para hablar sobre nuestro registro. Ayer esperé 20 minutos y me di por vencido. Así que estoy escuchando música mientras escribo esta entrada. ¡Alguien acaba de contestar! Fue un placer y me dio la extensión para llamar a la oficina de Estadística el lunes o miércoles por la mañana. Lástima que la mujer de la oficina no pudiera darme esa información adicional desde el principio. Lo intentaré de nuevo el lunes. Quizás hoy sea el día de colgar los cuadros.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
Your photos are amazing. Those flower pots on the wall are certainly unique. How do Spaniards feel about their monarchy today? When you mentioned Alfonso XIII, it got me to thinking about the present royal family.
Michael:
Hard to say how people feel about the monarchy. Some love the king. Some do not. Same with the queen. Of course, there have been minor scandals and rumors.
I love those walls festooned with flowers. I’d really like to have that but my fence is the kind you can’t attach to. Have a great weekend, and best to your family from your imaginary friend Boud.
Boud:
It’s a very popular way to adorn walls here and can be seen on the streets of many neighborhoods. I love it.
Beautifully composed shot of the sundial in the water feature! Have a fab weekend — enjoy!
Debra:
Thanks for that. It wasn’t easy to get with people walking into frame.
If I ever come to Spain, you know I’ll have to set a couple of days to visit you. I would love to see some of these places in these posts… this being one of them. Aren’t those gardens and flowers just gorgeous? I hope you enjoy the fireworks tonight!
Mistress Borghese:
Oh, how we’d love to see you here!
Gorgeous patios and interior spaces. I love all the pots on the wall.
Enjoy the light show and the family visit!!
Bob:
The pots on the walls are a common look here in Andalucía. Some villages line the streets with them.I love it.
Once again, Mitch: such wonderful pictures! Mille Gracias!
Oops, Anonymous was Jan from Perth
Jan from Perth:
Thanks to you!
Have a great weekend. It looks like there are a lot of places to pause for a rest when needed.
David:
Yes. So many restful places and places for a drink.
What a lovely place and the history too!
Great photos, Mitch. Thanks for sharing.
Jim:
Thanks as always for your kind words and for coming along!
What a charming palace; I always loves me a nice palace!
wickedhamster:
Yeah, cozy isn’t it?
Wallflowers indeed!
It almost does not seem fair that so much beauty can be contained in one place, albeit a very large place.
Enjoy your cousins! I know they will enjoy you and SG and your beautiful new home.
Moon Sigh
Moon Sigh:
Yes, I thought of the term wallflowers, too. Nothing wrong with that. I’m even going to trim my beard for my cousins!
Well now, that’s love.
Lovely photos.
Frank D:
Thanks.
A Marquis and a Fascist Dictator. There goes the neighborhood.
Kirk:
So glad we no longer have a fascist dictator here. Here’s hoping yours(ours) will be declawed.
What a joy to see this place!
I am so glad that someone answered you right away and gave you a helpful phone number… I second your excellent question wondering why earth they didn’t just give you that to begin with… I always like to think ahead and I really appreciate it when other people do that for me. I hope everything goes smoothly for you!
I hope you too. Enjoy the fireworks tonight!
Judy C:
It was a fun night. Even better, we could barely hear the fireworks from here.
What a grand palace that is! Imagine having the wealth to just buy up a whole neighbourhood, then join it all together with beautiful patio gardens… Sigh.
Jx
PS Amazing that a bank owns and maintains such a prestigious property, rather than the state or a historical trust!
Jon:
I’m not sure how it all works, but this one bank is heavily into historic preservation. It’s a nice thing but I’m sure it’s not entirely altruistic. It IS a bank.
Incredible.
Just absolutely beautiful. And the 1400s??? So fabulous.
So glad there’s people committed to conserving this beauty.
XOXO
Sixpence Nonethewiser:
There was a time when the government was quick to pave over the old. Grateful there are more rational minds in charge.
Franco is only likable if Trump is the other person in question
-Adam
NEKORANDOM.COM
Adam:
Franco still looks awful, but you’re right about the Drumpf effect.
Your photos are beautiful and I love the mosaics. I hope your weekend totally lives up to your expectations!
Kelly:
Aren’t those mosaics amazing.I would love to have something like that!
I love love love the pots on the walls. I’m assuming the flowers are real, so pray tell … how are they watered, and the soil maintained?
Shirley:
Yes, the flowers are real. The pots on the walls are common in Southern Spain. Watering cans with long extensions. Ladders.
It would be nice to borrow patio furniture from the Palazzo Villaseca-Viana and a few plants and statues. Did you ask them about that possibility?
larrymuffin:
I thought I’d just help myself.
Great photos of the palace and its various rooms and patios! Looks like an amazing place!
Steve:
The palace is fascinating. I had no clue where I was as I wandered and almost didn’t find my way out.
what sort of music? Sounds like good luck music now.
Urspo,
No clue. Obviously not memorable.