Subbetica
Friendship Circle
Housed in the former convent-hospital of the Order of St John of God, adjoining the Baroque chapel which remains a place of worship to this day, is the ‘Casino’ or Friendship Club, which retains all the 19th-century charm typical of such institutions and boasts one of the most beautiful courtyards in the south of Córdoba. Here, prominent figures from Valerian society held lengthy gatherings and heated debates on the most varied topics of the day.
In his novel *Pepita Jiménez*, we find a magnificent description of the place: “The centre of the gathering was the courtyard, paved with marble, with a fountain and jet in the middle and many flowerpots…”. Here we find a tile commemorating the writer; during a leisurely tour of the various rooms, we can view some portraits of his family and visit a small museum showcasing the local customs of the era that Valera depicts in his works.