During his tour around the Peninsula, nowhere was the Duke received with greater enthusiasm than in Cordoba. Seven carriages full of noblemen accompanied the governor, Don Cristóbal Núñez y Escobar, to wait for his arrival halfway between Córdoba and Alcolea. When they saw the approaching ducal barouche, the nobles descended to pay their respects on foot and so did His Highness, with his customary courtesy and generosity. Afterwards, the whole parade continued on its way to Cordoba, while other carriages joined them, so that, as they passed through the gates of the city, no less than fourteen carriages accompanied the heir of Tuscany, amid the cheers of the crowd that, from a league before, crowded on both sides of the road.
The Duke wanted to stay in the convent of San Pedro, of the Franciscan Fathers, where a crowd had gathered, eager to see such an illustrious gentleman and his entourage. The chronicler says that the strength of a hundred friars was hardly able to contain the people and prevent them from crossing the limits of the cloister. That afternoon, the polite Florentine courtiers must have been astonished at the delirium which, according to the Marquis of Corsini, made it difficult even to walk through the convent.
When the duke eventually managed to get to their rooms, he had to let the Corregidor in, as well as the noblemen who had accompanied him on his arrival. To these ones were added others, so that, according Magalotti, “few remained in the city without bowing to him.” Then the audience to the different corporations of the city began, which lasted until the time when the duke used to retire. He was also informed that, by order of the Queen Governess, a bullfight had been prepared in his honour, which would take place at the beginning of the following week. It was given to him to choose for that between Monday and Wednesday, since Tuesday was considered a day of ill omen. Such superstition was not failed to be noticed by the enlightened Florentines, behind their elaborate courtesy, with a disguised disdain.
