Walking in Cordoba, Casa Andalusi, Casa de Sefarad

The Cordoba Mosque and the old town surrounding it, the neighbourhood of Juderias (the Jewish quarter) with its white coloured walls, cobblestone streets is very well preserved and have lots of interesting points of visit. In order to picture Cordoba in its heydays, its multicultural atmosphere, one can visit the museums in the old town. One of them is the Sephardic Museum; the Sephardics, the name for Jewish people during the time of Al Andalus, at that time, had a certain liberty and could practice their religion and culture until the Catholic Reign took over the Iberian land and expelled all non-catholic communities including the Jews. The Sephardic museum is a two-floor house with a patio where you will find information on important Sephardic personalities such as Maimonides, the Cordoba born philosopher and rabbi, known with his fourteen column book on Jewish law. The museum also tells you the history of the Jewish culture and the inquisition period.

Another house museum is the Casa Andalusi right across the Sephardic museum. It is a little but very beautiful place in its all details; the carpets hanging on the walls, the patios with tile designed fountains, the library with books on Islamic history and culture, the wooden and ceramic mirrors on the walls, everything appeals your attention and you find a serenity in this little place taken out from a postcard in Morocco or Tunisia.

In the same Jewish quarter you will find an interesting tea house, Salon de Té has an interesting story. The french philosopher, once a member of the French communist party, who then converted to Islam, Roger Garaudy, lived in Córdoba and both Casa Andalusi and the Tea House belong to Garaudy Foundation. This place, which was once his house is now a public tea house decorated in Andalusian style and you should definitely stop by.

You can see the museum hours and entrance fees on Cordoba Tourism Office's website.