Bullfighting Museum

Córdoba is a bullfighting city, because of its history, because of its culture. And, as could not be otherwise, this public space we are referring to is a true reflection of that brilliant part of our city’s history and culture.

The Bullfighting Museum of Córdoba is located in a 16th-century noble house built in Mudejar style, known as the “Casa de las Bulas.” It is accessed via Plaza de Maimónides and also borders, on one side, Calle Judíos and Plaza de Tiberíades, a place of strong tourist appeal in Córdoba.

In 1948, an art exhibition on bullfighting was held in the city, which generated great interest. Shortly after, another exhibition was organized in honor of “Machaquito,” to mark the golden jubilee of his alternativa. The excitement caused by both exhibitions led Don Alfonso Cruz Conde, the city’s mayor, to consider creating a municipal museum to preserve that part of the city’s history and culture. In March 1953, the mayor purchased the “Casa de las Bulas” and appointed a commission of notable figures to oversee its development.

The Provincial Museum of Popular Art was inaugurated in May 1954, but as its name suggests, it was not exclusively dedicated to the world of the bull. There were rooms devoted to “cordobán” and “guadamecí” leatherwork, traditional Córdoba silverwork… there was even a flamenco stage!

Regarding the bull, the museum housed a room dedicated exclusively to the rejoneador Antonio Calero, considered by many to be the best in his field. “El Lagartijo” also had a place of honor, with a bronze bust created by Mateo Inurria Lainosa. There were also rooms dedicated to “Guerrita,” “Machaquito,” and even “Manolete,” the 4th Caliph of bullfighting. In the room dedicated to the latter, one could find his first bullfighting costume, as well as the cape, muleta, and sword he used the day he fought “Islero” in Linares, his final fight.

In the 1970s, the museum fell into decline, which led the families of the bullfighters to retrieve many of the items they had loaned. It was Julio Anguita who, seeing the cultural and touristic potential of the building, set out to undertake a major restoration project of the museum.

In 2005, the museum closed its doors again, this time for a full renovation. It did not reopen until the spring of 2014, now under the name Bullfighting Museum of Córdoba.

The Rooms of the Bullfighting Museum of Córdoba

Room I: Córdoba, a City with a Bullfighting Essence

The first room of the museum, located on the ground floor. Visitors will learn about all the places of interest in the world of the bull in Córdoba (monuments, taverns, specialized shops, livestock farms, bullrings…).

Room II: The Bull, Bullfighting, and Bullfighting Culture

In this room, visitors will enjoy an engaging audiovisual presentation that highlights the direct relationship between the bullfighter (culture) and the bull (nature) during the fight.

Room III: The Landscape of the Bull

Now on the first floor, we are transported to the countryside, to the breeding grounds… The aim is to bring the visitor to the natural origin of the bull, its habitat. Let’s get to know the animal. It’s a good time to showcase the care given to it from birth until it is brought to the ring for the fight.

Room IV: Five Caliphs, Five Universes

This room allows the people of Córdoba to pay tribute to their greatest bullfighting figures, the so-called “Five Caliphs”: “Lagartijo,” “Guerrita,” “Machaquito,” “Manolete,” and “El Cordobés,” along with the great rejoneador Antonio Cañero. Visitors will find informational panels about each of the Caliphs, accompanied by screens, as well as bullfighting costumes, capes, and portraits.

Room V: The Bullfight: Ritual and Celebration

This room simulates the entrance to a bullring, with no detail overlooked… the aim is to create the proper atmosphere for the visitor to experience the reality of the celebration. Here, one will learn everything surrounding the spectacle: the president, the music band…

Room VI: A Long History: Córdoba and Bullfighting

As mentioned in the introduction, Córdoba is a bullfighting city because of its history and culture. This room offers a historical overview of the bullfighting tradition in the city and the relationship between the two.

Room VII: Bullfighting Culture: Artistic Inspiration

We return to the ground floor and arrive at the room that showcases the relationship between the bull and art. The world of the bull has inspired many artists on numerous occasions, as exemplified by Julio Romero de Torres himself, a great admirer of the tradition.

Contact and Visits to the Bullfighting Museum of Córdoba

Address: Plaza Maimónides, 14002, Córdoba. Phone: +34 957 20 10 56.

Bus Lines

Opening Hours

Winter Schedule (from September 16 to June 15):

• Tuesday to Friday: 8:15 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.
• Saturdays: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Sundays and public holidays: 8:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
• December 24 and 31: 8:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Summer Schedule (from June 16 to September 15):

• Tuesday to Sunday: 8:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
• Closed on Mondays.
• Closed on January 1 and December 25.

Price

• Standard admission: €4.
• Students: €2.
• Standard combined pass: €8.40.
• Discounted combined pass: €4.50.
• Museum Pass: €7.00.

How to get there: The Bullfighting Museum of Córdoba is located in Plaza Maimónides, very close to the Synagogue and just a few meters from the Mosque–Cathedral.

If you wish to visit the Bullfighting Museum of Córdoba, don’t hesitate to book one of our guided tours. We are experts in the interpretation of Córdoba’s historical heritage. We advise you on tickets, opening hours, prices, and how to get there. If you have chosen to do tourism in Córdoba, choose a quality option — choose ArtenCórdoba.