Walking through Posada del Potro in Córdoba feels like stepping into a perfectly preserved slice of medieval Spain. This 15th-century courtyard inn sits quietly on Plaza del Potro, its whitewashed facade giving little hint of the stories contained within its walls.

The building has quite a past. Originally constructed in 1381 as an inn for travelers and merchants, it followed the Islamic tradition of funduq - establishments with central courtyards surrounded by rooms for guests and stables for their animals. What makes this place special isn't just its architecture, though the wooden galleries and irregular patio are genuinely beautiful. It's the literary connection that really sets it apart.

Miguel de Cervantes stayed here and was so taken with the place that he referenced it three times in Don Quijote. Standing in that central courtyard, surrounded by the scent of jasmine and orange trees, you can almost picture the writer observing the daily bustle of muleteers and merchants. Pío Baroja later wrote about it too, and more recently Ildefonso Falcones featured it in his novel "La mano de Fátima."

The inn operated continuously until 1972, when Córdoba's city council finally purchased it for restoration. After decades of debate about its future use, they settled on something quite fitting: a flamenco center dedicated to Antonio Fernández "Fosforito," the celebrated cantaor from nearby Puente Genil.

The Centro Flamenco Fosforito opened in 2013 after extensive renovation. The museum does a decent job explaining flamenco's complexity - its rhythms, the different singing styles, the guitar techniques. Interactive displays help visitors understand why this art form earned UNESCO World Heritage status. One room focuses entirely on guitars, which makes sense given Córdoba's tradition of guitar making and its annual festival.

I found the historical room particularly interesting. Small models show how the posada evolved over the centuries, from medieval inn to neighborhood tenement to cultural center. The transformation reflects Córdoba's own journey through different eras.

Entry is free, which is refreshing. The staff can provide information about guided tours, and there's an audio guide available if you want deeper context about both the building's history and flamenco's development. The center also hosts concerts and cultural events, keeping the space alive rather than turning it into a static museum.

It's a quick visit - maybe an hour - but one that connects you to both Córdoba's medieval commercial life and Andalusia's most iconic art form.