The Plaza del Potro is one of Córdoba's most historically layered squares. Cited by Cervantes in Don Quixote (Part I, Chapter 3), it was a trading hub and travellers' crossroads in the Middle Ages. At its centre stands a Renaissance fountain crowned by a young horse (potro), the emblem of the square. Three cultural venues now share the plaza, making it one of Córdoba's more rewarding cultural stops.
The Fountain and Cervantes' Inn
The square takes its name from the Renaissance fountain (1577), topped by a foal sculpted by French artist Antoine Jacquot. The former Posada del Potro, a 15th-century inn where Cervantes is said to have stayed, survives on the square. In the 16th century, Cervantes described it in Don Quixote as a haunt of 'rogues and thieves' — which tells you something about what the square's livestock markets and crowded inns actually sounded like.
Three Museums on One Square
The old inn now houses the Centro Flamenco Fosforito, dedicated to flamenco as a UNESCO Intangible Heritage — with exhibitions, sound archives, and a concert programme. The Museum of Fine Arts of Córdoba displays Spanish painting from the 14th to the 20th century, including works by Zurbarán, Murillo, and Valdés Leal. The Museo Julio Romero de Torres, devoted to the Cordoban painter known for his symbolist portraits of Andalusian women, completes the set.
Visiting Tips
Allow 30 minutes for the square, plus 1 to 2 hours for the museums. Museums are free for EU citizens, €4.50 for other nationalities. Best in the morning (10am–1pm) before crowds build. A combined ticket covers both main museums. Closed Mondays.
Location and Atmosphere
The square is in the Centro neighbourhood, 10 minutes' walk from the Mezquita. The surrounding streets keep their traditional character, with tapas bars and artisan workshops. Plaza de la Corredera is 5 minutes away for its Sunday flea market.
