The Archaeological Museum of Cordoba is located next to the old Palacio de los Páez de Castillejo, a building built in the sixteenth century, specifically in 1559 by the architect Hernán Ruiz. It is a unique building in which two courtyards with porticated shape and their construction on the ruins of the ancient Roman Theatre of Cordoba stand out.
Contenidos
It is worth noting the facade of the building, conceived as a kind of Arc de triomphe with iconographic images of the Páez de Castillejo family. The building was in which all the works of the Museum were exhibited until it has finally moved to the adjoining building, much more modern.
History of the Museum
The idea of creating the Archaeological Museum of the city was born around the middle of the nineteenth century, when numerous works of the Catholic Church were disenmoved. The museum’s collection has been changing locations on numerous occasions. The collection has shared space in the Hospital de la Caridad with the Museum of Fine Arts. He later moved to the Plaza de San Juan de Letrán and even settled for a few years in a house very close to the Mosque.
It was not until 1960 that he moved to the Palacio de los Paez de Castillejo. It is now considered one of the most complete Archaeological Museums in Spain, among other reasons because it has been rescuing numerous pieces and constantly updating its collections.
Main works on display
The truth is that this archaeological museum of Cordoba has numerous works of art that help us to understand the different cultures that have passed through the area, but there are some pieces that stand out from the rest.
One of them is the Aphrodite Agachada, which is in good condition. It is a statue that is more than two meters high and is dated between 138 and 192 BC.
Another of the sculptures that attract the most is the Iberian Lion of Nueva Cartella. It reproduces the image of a lion made of limestone stone, measuring more than one meter in length.
For a short time, the Divo Augustus, a marble sculpture depicting a Roman emperor, has been valued. The torso and one of the legs are preserved, being placed in the exhibition with what would be their original position.
Archaeological remains under the museum
Under the museum you can visit the stands (cavea) of what was a Roman theater. Along with videos and explanatory posters you can appreciate the architecture of the Roman era in Cordoba. It is known that the place chosen for this construction was due to the land, being on the slope the stand was more comfortable to build at the time.
This is a theatre that was in full operation until the end of the 3rd century. All this information is known through the study of the different archaeological remains that have appeared in the area, capitals, cornice stones, pieces of decorated arches, etc.
Museum Curiosities
The Archaeological Museum of Cordoba is full of pieces of great value, both for their state of conservation and for their historical importance. But it is also worth noting some pieces that show in some way the history of Cordoba.
Among his pieces are two very representative models, one of them is that of the Roman Temple of Cordoba, as it would be before its destruction. Another of these models is that of the Alminar,which is located at the base of the current Bell Tower of the Mosque. They are not works of great historical interest, but if they help us understand how the ancient Cordoba was.
Schedules and prices
The times to visit the Museum change depending on the time of year.
June 16 to September 15
Tuesday to Sunday (including public holidays): from 10:00 to 17:00h.
Monday: closed
September 16 to June 15
Tuesday to Saturday: 9:00 to 20:00h.
On Sundays and public holidays: from 9:00 to 15:00h.
Monday: closed
The entrance fee is 1.5 euros
Residents of the European Union have free entry