After a fire in 1757, they were reconstructed in Charles III (1759-1788) time. In 1822, the Royal Household’s horses were removed and the stables were turned over to the Cavalry. The Spanish Army stallion stable was here for many years until it was removed from Córdoba and the building was used by the Ministry of Defense. In 2002 it was bought by the Town Council and is used for offices and cultural events.

The Brand of Caballerizas Reales

The Brand of Caballerizas Reales was placed on horses that were produced in the Royal stables, and was the first bran used on the first horses of the now organised breed. The brand contained an “R” for Real (“royal”) inside a C for Córdoba with a corona (crown) on top of the C; the royal stamp was placed on horses produced in the Royal Stables, being the “first brand used on the first horses of the now organized breed”.

The Equestrian Show at the Caballerizas Reales

If you would like to see the Andalusian horses you can attend one of the nightly Equestrian Show that take place at the Royal Stables or you can watch the horses during their afternoon practice session.  The Equestrian Show is a tourist attraction and cultural event, which connects the town of Cordoba with its history and its equestrian tradition. The nightly show is called the ‘Pasion y Duende del Caballo Andaluz’ or ‘Passion and Spirit of the Andalusian Horse’. Located at the Royal Horse Stables of Cordoba, this show starts at 9 pm and lasts approximately one hour. This event combines art on horseback, flamenco and dance, and three unique elements of the region.

Andalusian Horse

The breed is known worldwide as the Andalusian horse, and they were first recognized as a distinct breed as far back as the in the 15th century. However, their actual history goes back thousands of years on the Iberian Peninsula. Cave paintings in Spain have been found showing pictures of horses that date as far back as 30,000 BC. The breed is distinguished by their long thick mane and tail, as well as their elegant yet robust build. They can be found in many colours, however grey is the most common coat colour.

The horse carried the conquistadores to the New World and became a striking symbol of the Spanish empire. Its reputation as a prized war horses almost led to the demise of the breed in the Iberian Peninsula when Napoleon invaded Spain in the 1800’s and seized them for his own invasion. Luckily a small herd was sequestered at a monastery in Cartuja near Granada and the breed recovered.  It is also the preferred breed of nobility across Europe. Today, they can often be found performing around the world in many equestrian activities, including dressage and show jumping. Today the Andalusian horses number over 185,000.