Fair of Our Lady of Health (Cordoba May Fair)

The Fair of Our Lady of Health is Cordoba's main fair and closes the month of May. Its origins go back to the 18th century and for a long time it was held in the Victoria gardens; in 1994 it moved to the El Arenal grounds, on the banks of the Guadalquivir, where it remains today.

It is organised by the City Council, but it is made possible by religious brotherhoods, peñas, residents' and cultural associations, organisations, businesses and volunteers who set up and run the marquees (casetas). One of its hallmarks is that Cordoba's casetas are open-door: anyone can go in.

The fair starts with the switching-on of the lights and fireworks. The main gateway changes every year but always reproduces the arches and minaret of the Mosque, and it is one of the most eagerly awaited features. Every year the City Council gives prizes for the best caseta, the best caseta façade and the best patio.

At the El Arenal fairground, a large open area of more than thirty hectares beside the Guadalquivir, near the football stadium. The streets of the fairground are named after places in Cordoba (Judería, Mezquita, Corredera, Tendillas, Guadalquivir...). The rides are concentrated in the calle del Infierno, the funfair street.

AUCORSA, the municipal bus company, runs a special Fair service every year with dedicated lines linking El Arenal to the city's districts, departing from and arriving at its own terminal next to the grounds, with late-night services on the busiest days. The City Council recommends using public transport. There are reserved parking areas for vehicles of people with disabilities next to the grounds and a paid car park on the other side of the A-4 motorway. Road trains run inside the fairground.

During the day the stars are the parade of horses and carriages, which follows a set circuit through the fair streets, and meals in the casetas with friends, family, peñas or brotherhoods. At night the fairground lights up with hundreds of thousands of bulbs. People dance sevillanas, drink fino wine from Montilla-Moriles and eat tapas, and flamenco dresses, traje corto riding outfits, the Cordoban hat and decorative combs are everywhere. The municipal caseta has performances every day.