The Cordoba Fair: Andalusia in celebration!

The noise, the crowds, the colors, the music, the dancing – this is the very essence of Andalusia. At any time of year, people love to celebrate in this great region of southern Spain. And listing all the highlights that take place there would indeed be an endless mission. Nevertheless, no one can stop us from giving you the names of some of these festive gatherings like the Cordoba Fair, or Feria de Nuestra Señora de la Salud, for the more knowledgeable.

When May comes to an end, Cordoba goes all out during this celebration held in honor of the city's patron saint. Horsemen, gypsies, flamenco dancers in "traje de fiesta" and visitors at large gather for a week of proudly Andalusian entertainment.

From sunrise to sunset, the passion and fervor of the Cordoba Fair run continuously. And no one, really no one, wants it to end!

The basics to know about this fair

Yesterday...

Bringing together several hundred thousand participants each year, both national and foreign, the Cordoba Fair already has several centuries of existence behind it. Around 9 to be precise.

Its first origins date back to the time of the Castilian conquest, when King Sancho IV granted the Council of Cordoba the possibility of organizing a livestock fair twice a year. The first took place at Cincuesma (Pentecost) and the second on the first day of Lent.

We had to wait until 1665 for the celebration to adopt the name of Nuestra Señora de la Salud. During that year, two farmers accidentally came across the image of a small Virgin at the bottom of a well, whose waters apparently had the power to heal the sick. To commemorate the event, a modest hermitage was erected at the very location of the discovery, Puerta Sevilla, which later became a fair or feria in Spanish.

Readjusted and moved many times, the Cordoba Fair was definitively installed at the El Arenal exhibition park in 1994. One final geographical change that allowed it to obtain what it had always lacked until then: space.

... to today

From 1284 to the 2020s, time and mentalities have contributed to the evolution of the celebration. The Feria de Nuestra Señora de la Salud, better known as the Cordoba Fair, has kept from its religious character of yesteryear only its name. Now, it is a great annual public festival, organized during the last week of May, mixing concerts, dance shows, bullfights... A way for the city to brilliantly conclude 31 days of local festivities.

A sort of tradition within tradition, the Cordoba Fair makes room for a poster contest at each of its editions. In the early days, it was the city's coat of arms that took center stage in artistic projects. But since the 19th century, the municipal council has been encouraging artists to let their imagination run free.

A range of entertainment

During the Cordoba Fair, children, young people and older ones are looking for one and the same thing: to have fun! And, clearly, the means to achieve this are not lacking.

Showcasing folklore

In the orderly alleys of the El Arenal fairground, requisitioned for the occasion, the entertainment comes primarily from the many stands (about 100) placed side by side. On site, they are called casetas.

Open free to the public, except in special cases, these large pavilions offer real moments of celebration and sharing to whoever wants them. The flamenco shows, sevillana (popular Spanish dance) and traditional costume demonstrations are a perfect example. Not to mention all those where local and national gastronomy is appropriate!

Although they are ephemeral gathering places, the casetas are carefully arranged for the week of celebration. In this sense, each one displays very traditional decoration down to the colors, lanterns, flower pots and other aesthetic ornaments. Details taken very seriously since each year, a contest elects the prettiest of all.

Besides the casetas, visitors will obviously have other opportunities to confront Andalusian culture. In the middle of the fair, it's rare not to attend a bullfight. And Cordoba's is no exception. These bullfighting shows take place in the "Los Califas" arena and are supervised by the most popular matadors of the moment.

But if this tradition, often concluded by the killing of bulls, puts you off, prefer the equestrian guard processions. Free from any violence, these parades are among the most remarkable attractions of the Cordoba Fair.

Or just showcasing in general

Besides the prominence given to folklore, other activities and euphoric moments contribute to making the Cordoba Fair a week of pure effervescence.

The official kickoff of the festivities is usually given by the lighting of the fairy lights on the stands and the portada (entrance gate). To then continue with the launch of fireworks.

Finally, for all thrill seekers, there's the inevitable funfair whose colorful and illuminated rides have reduced entry prices on Wednesday, children's day.

How to get to the Cordoba Fair?

Those who have participated in the event at least once can tell you, the Cordoba Fair does not take place in the historic center.

Its precise location, as you're beginning to know, is the El Arenal fairground. On a city map, this places you on the opposite bank from the modern museum "Centro de Creación Contemporánea de Andalucía". That is, roughly speaking, 3 km from Plaza de la Corredera (Cordoba's main square).

To make the journey, all means of transport are good. It remains to know which one you will favor.

The bus

Each year, on the occasion of the Fair, the Aucorsa bus company provides 13 specific lines between the different neighborhoods of Cordoba and the El Arenal exhibition park. In the evening, the service continues with special buses running until the early hours of the morning. The ticket price ranges between €1.30 and €1.60 depending on whether it's early or late in the day.

By car

Coming to the Cordoba Fair by car is a perfectly feasible option. Especially for those arriving from the city's periphery, or even beyond. Parking lots near the festival site are made available by the municipal council. The largest of all is located on the other side of the highway, very close to the Nuevo El Arcángel stadium.

On foot

Do you like using your legs for most of your travels? Then you won't have anything against walking to the Cordoba Fair. Starting from the old town, the route is child's play. You'll need to reach the banks of the Guadalquivir, cross Cordoba's Roman bridge then the Sandbank Bridge (Puente del Arenal), before coming to one of the fair entrances.