CERVANTES BIRTHHOUSE MUSEUM

One of the great attractions of the walk through the historic center is this museum, accessible and free admission, which brings us closer to the immortal writer, his work and the way of life of his time. 

Cervantes was born in Alcalá de Henares in 1547 and his baptism was celebrated on October 9 in the now disappeared Church of Santa María la Mayor. 

Did he really live in this house-museum?

Cervantes' birthplace has been debated and questioned. In 1948, an expert named Luis Astrana in a work entitled "Vida ejemplar y heroica de Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra" (Exemplary and heroic life of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra), defended that the place where the museum is located was the original site of his house. The property belonged to the writer's grandfather, Juan de Cervantes.

In 1956, this museum, which recreates the daily life of a wealthy family of the 16th and 17th centuries, was opened to the public. The two-story house with a beautiful interior courtyard recreates the different rooms: reception room, apothecary, kitchen, dining room, gentleman's bedroom, women's and children's bedrooms, ladies' dais, etc.

Both the decoration and the architecture play an important role in transmitting to visitors the lifestyle that Cervantes led there, immersing them and making them feel like authentic inhabitants of the house.

The house is also a center of activities that aims to bring the public closer to the figure of Cervantes and his time, through proposals such as the setting of comparsas during Carnival, the activities carried out during the Week of the Book or Cervantes Week or Christmas. Of special importance is the organization of workshops throughout the year. We recommend that you visit the museum's website in advance to consult its agenda of activities.

More information: Museo Casa Natal de Cervantes

Image credits: Museo Casa Natal de Cervantes © Community of Madrid