In Cordoba you will have the opportunity to see one of the most important and oldest synagogues in Spain: there are, in fact, only three synagogues built before 1492 throughout the Iberian Peninsula. It was precisely in that year that the Jews were expelled from Spain and almost all the synagogues were destroyed or converted to other uses. Of the three that remain, two are in Toledo — Santa María la Blanca and Tránsito de Nuestra Señora — and the third is in Cordoba, in the delightful Judería quarter.
The Sinagoga di Cordoba is located right in the historic centre, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Judería is a delightful part of the city with white houses, pretty flower-filled balconies and very narrow streets and alleys. The main squares recall important philosophers or prominent figures in Jewish culture and the Synagogue stands on the main street, Calle de los Judìos. Besides the Synagogue, then, I suggest you take your time exploring the neighbourhood: lose yourself in its lanes and you will come across postcard-perfect corners you won’t easily forget.
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What to see in the Synagogue of Cordoba
Built in 1315, its dimensions are modest compared with other famous synagogues in southern Europe. The architectural style, however, is rich in mudéjar-style details and precious inlays, reliefs and stucco work in geometric forms or evoking natural elements.
A small courtyard with white walls serves as the entrance to the vestibule and the prayer hall. The Synagogue has a square plan with, on the right-hand side, a staircase providing access to the matroneum, the gallery reserved for women. Women could take part in the service from three finely decorated arched balconies bearing inscriptions of psalms and prayers.
On the east wall there is an inscription indicating the architect and the year the Synagogue was built: it records the year 5075 of the Hebrew calendar, which corresponds to 1315 in the Christian calendar. The architect was Ishap Moheb.
Less than 200 years after its construction, in 1492 the Jews were expelled from Spain and the Synagogue was converted into a hospital to treat those suffering from rabies. In the seventeenth century it became a church, the Church of Saints Crispin and Crispinian, and the seat of an important guild in the city, the Shoemakers’ Guild. Later, during its use as a nursery school, the scholar Rafael Romero Barros began to analyse the Hebrew-language inscriptions contained within the building and recognised their historical and cultural importance.
In 1885 the Synagogue of Cordoba was declared a national monument and today no longer belongs to the Catholic Church but to the State. Open to the public as a museum and monument, over the years it has welcomed thousands of visitors from all over the world.
Useful information
The exact address of the Synagogue of Cordoba is Calle de los Judìos, 20. The best way to reach it is on foot, as it is located in the historic centre close to other important monuments that are absolutely worth visiting: the Mezquita, the Alcazar of Cordoba, the Puente Romano.
The city centre is easily reachable by bus, and there are many lines that approach the Synagogue from different parts of the city. You can take buses 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 16, 01 and 02, depending on your starting point.
If you were in a car and wanted to venture into the centre of Cordoba (a choice we wouldn’t recommend!) you can park in the Avenida de la Victoria area or, closer, in Calle del Doctor Fleming.
Opening hours and free entry
The Synagogue of Córdoba is generally open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 09:00 to 15:00. It is closed on Mondays, except on public holidays or the day before a public holiday, when it opens from 09:00 to 15:00. Admission is free for all visitors.
Where to stay in the area?
At the link below you’ll find all the tips on where to stay in Cordoba. We recommend choosing accommodation in the Juderia neighbourhood or in one of Cordoba’s central areas.
