Casa de Sefarad

Casa de Sefarad is a small private museum standing right at the heart of the Judería, Córdoba's old Jewish quarter, directly across from the city's historic Synagogue. It occupies a house dating back to the 14th century, a building that over the centuries served as home to craftsmen and families and, by the 20th century, functioned as a shared communal residence. Restored and turned into a museum on the initiative of historian Sebastián de Obra, it opened its permanent exhibition to the public in 2006.

What can you see inside?

The permanent exhibition, called "Memorias de Sefarad," unfolds across nine themed rooms set within the historic house. Visitors move through spaces dedicated to the Sephardic diaspora, the synagogue itself, the Judeo-Spanish language known as Ladino, and Maimonides, Córdoba's most famous Jewish philosopher. Another room addresses the Inquisition and the expulsion of the Jewish community, while further rooms cover domestic life, the role of women in Sephardic tradition, the yearly cycle of Jewish festivals, and Sephardic music, illustrated through instruments and recordings.

The building itself is part of the experience: surviving 14th-century architectural details, the patio, and the layout of the rooms give a tangible sense of what daily life looked like in a Jewish household in medieval Córdoba.

How do you get there?

The museum sits within the Judería, just steps from the Synagogue and within easy walking distance of the Mosque-Cathedral, making it a natural stop on any walk through the historic centre. The quarter's narrow lanes are largely closed to traffic, so walking is the practical option — from the Mosque-Cathedral it's usually no more than a five- to ten-minute stroll. The nearest car parks and public transport stops sit on the edges of the old town.

When should you visit, and what else should you know?

Visits to Casa de Sefarad are guided, and tours are sometimes paired with demonstrations of Sephardic music, so it's worth checking ahead if that's of particular interest. Beyond the exhibition, the house also holds a specialised library on Sephardic culture, and the museum regularly hosts concerts, workshops, conferences, book presentations, and commemorative events. In that sense it works both as a museum and as a living cultural centre for Jewish heritage in the city.

Given its modest size and guided format, a visit typically takes around an hour — a good length to fit into a broader walk through the Judería that also takes in the Synagogue and the quarter's old streets.

Frequently asked questions

What is Casa de Sefarad? It's a private museum in Córdoba dedicated to the history, culture, and traditions of Sephardic Jews, housed in a restored 14th-century building in the Judería.

Where exactly is it located? Right in the centre of Córdoba's old Jewish quarter, facing the Synagogue and a short walk from the Mosque-Cathedral.

What does the permanent exhibition cover? Nine themed rooms covering the diaspora, the synagogue, the Judeo-Spanish (Ladino) language, Maimonides, the Inquisition, domestic life, women in Sephardic tradition, the festival calendar, and Sephardic music.

Is a guided visit worthwhile? Yes — visits are guided by design, sometimes including a Sephardic music demonstration, which helps make sense of the material on display.