Museo Casa Natal de Cervantes

About the museum

The museum occupies a building on Calle Mayor, next to the Hospital de Antezana, which reconstructs the house in which, according to the Cervantes scholar Luis Astrana Marín, Miguel de Cervantes was born in 1547. Astrana presented his conclusions in 1948, by which time the original house had already been demolished. In Cervantes's time it belonged to an aunt of his, and Cervantes lived there until 1551, when the family moved to Valladolid.

The present house was built in 1956, following the model of the traditional Castilian-Toledan dwelling, and the museum opened the same year. Between 1997 and 2003 further works were carried out: an annex was added, the rooms were fitted out, the frescoes were restored, and the air conditioning and roof were renewed. Since its refurbishment, the museum, which depends on the Community of Madrid, receives more than 150,000 visits a year.

The permanent exhibition recreates the atmosphere of a well-to-do home of the 16th and 17th centuries, with spaces such as the apothecary's room, a dining room, the washroom and dressing room, and several bedrooms. In addition there are two collections: a bibliographic one, with a wide selection of Cervantine editions published between the 17th and 21st centuries, and a museographic one, with pieces related to medicine (the profession of Cervantes's father) and to everyday life in the period. The museum also organises temporary exhibitions, activities and performances devoted to Cervantes and the Golden Age.

Highlights

• House recreating the everyday life of a well-off Golden Age family
• Apothecary, dining room, dressing room and bedrooms
• Collection of Cervantine editions from the 17th to the 21st century
• Eight-chapter audio route for mobile phones
• Free admission

Permanent exhibition

• Casa de una familia acomodada del Siglo de Oro – Recreation of the house in which Cervantes's birth is set, with an apothecary, dining room, dressing room and bedrooms, and a selection of Cervantine editions from the 17th to the 21st century.

Founded

1956

Operated by

Comunidad de Madrid

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission and free activities.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

Because of the age of the building it is only partially accessible. A lift for three people, with room for one wheelchair, gives access to the temporary exhibition room on the second floor. The building has no toilets. The reception desk has an induction loop. There is a leaflet in Braille (to be requested in advance), an easy-read leaflet, and guided descriptive visits for small groups of people with low vision, with advance booking, Tuesday to Friday. Only guide dogs and identified assistance animals are admitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum runs activities for families and publishes recommendations for visiting with children; children must be accompanied at all times.

Getting there & parking

By car, via the A-2 and the R-2.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A small sales point at the entrance with publications on the museum, Cervantes and his era; card payment accepted. The building has no toilets.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit