Patios
Unlike the cortijos in western Andalusia, which are constructed around one large patio, those in eastern Andalusia have many patios.
Here, there are three main patios. The first is the Patio de los Mandarinos (Patio of the Mandarin Trees). In this patio, there are two fountains, one in the center and another rectangular one made of Roman stones. The floor has been redone with natural stones. The large door through which one enters the patio is decorated with the coat-of-arms of the cortijo as well as the date of its construction. Just in front of the gate there is an invocation to the Virgin that reads “Al cielo cuasa alegría el decir Ave María” (“Heaven is happy to hear the Hail Mary”) and a prayer “Denos la paz y la lluvia y denos también las flores Señora Santa Maria de los Labradores” (Holy Mary of the Farmers, give us peace and rain and give us flowers as well), with an image of the Virgin Mary. This patio is decorated with many plants, especially the very typical vines.
The house, the olive-oil mill, the museum and the entryway to the stables all meet at the Patio de la casa de la Labor (Manuel Damas' Patio). One enters this patio through another large door made of antique wood with forged-iron machetes. Finally, there is the Patio de la casa Cuartel (Patio of the Living Quarters), which is the smallest patio but perhaps the most enchanting. It is symmetric and adorned with a small stone fountain in the center. There are forged lanterns hung on the walls. The windows opening onto all of the patios have wooden frames and prison-style grilles.
