Baltasar Castellá: Origins of Photography in Córdoba
Almost 700 photos from 41 Córdoba towns (1913-1916), October 6-27
All the information
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About the event
The Córdoba Provincial Council exhibits at the Palace of La Merced, from October 6 to 27, 2026, the report by Baltasar Castellá of the province between 1913 and 1916: nearly 700 photographs from 41 localities. Guided tours on October 12, 13, and 27 at 18:00.
Key points
- From October 6 to 27, 2026, Monday to Friday
- Almost 700 photos from 41 localities taken between 1913 and 1916
- The oldest known photographic report of Córdoba province
- Guided tours on October 12, 13, and 27 at 18:00
- Presidency Gallery of the Palace of La Merced, Plaza de Colón
The province over a century ago
Between 1913 and 1916, photographer Baltasar Castellá traveled through Córdoba province for the publication 'Spanish Photographic Portfolio'. The result is nearly 700 images from 41 towns, now preserved in the Library and the National Archive of Catalonia. The Córdoba Provincial Council now gathers this material in 'Origins of Photography in Córdoba Province: Baltasar Castellá's Report 1913-1916', which the institution presents as the oldest known photographic report of the province. The exhibition is curated by Córdoba photographer Antonio Jesús González.
What you see in the photographs
The collection is diverse: each municipality features a general view, photos of main squares and streets, castles, churches, monuments, fairs, trades, economic activities, images of patron saints, and even some religious sculptures. These are high-quality, documentary-style photographs that show how Córdoba villages looked in the early 20th century, how people dressed, and how work was done. For many visitors, it will be an opportunity to recognize their own town or their grandparents' street as it was over a hundred years ago.
Hours and guided visits
The exhibition is at the Presidency Gallery of the Palace of La Merced, seat of the Córdoba Provincial Council, in Plaza de Colón, from October 6 to 27, 2026. It is open Monday to Friday, from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 18:00 to 21:00. Guided tours are scheduled for October 12, 13, and 27 at 18:00. The Provincial Council does not publish an entrance fee; for inquiries, call 957 211 100.
