The Sinagoga de Córdoba, built in 1315, is one of only three surviving medieval synagogues in Spain, the other two being in Toledo. Its walls carry Mudéjar stucco with Hebrew inscriptions from the Psalms — work that shows how Muslim craftsmen of the period built for Jewish and Christian patrons alike, using the same geometric vocabulary regardless of the building's faith.
A Witness to Hispano-Moorish Art
The synagogue dates from the early 14th century, when Córdoba's Jewish community still worked within the broader Hispano-Moorish artistic tradition. After the expulsion of the Jews in 1492, the building served successively as a hospital for rabies patients, a Catholic hermitage, and a guild headquarters. Rediscovered and restored in the 19th century, it was declared a national monument in 1885.
The Stucco Work and Hebrew Inscriptions
The stucco covering the prayer hall walls incorporates Hebrew inscriptions from Psalms 92 and 93 alongside geometric patterns familiar from contemporary mosques and churches. The upper gallery, used by women according to synagogue tradition, survives intact. The eastern wall marks the location of the Holy Ark that once housed the Torah scrolls. The building measures 6.37 by 6.95 metres — small enough to take in fully from the entrance, but worth slowing down for the detail work.
Visiting Tips
The visit takes 20 to 30 minutes. Free entry for EU citizens, €0.30 for other nationalities. Best time: mornings between 9am and 11am to avoid crowds and get the natural light that brings the stucco surfaces to life.
A Walk in the Judería
Combine the visit with a stroll through the Judería and the Mezquita nearby. The statue of Maimonides, the 12th-century Jewish philosopher born in Córdoba, stands just 2 minutes' walk away on Calle Judíos. All free walking tours pass the synagogue with historical commentary.
