Casa Adret, Medieval Jewish Home

About
Casa Adret

A medieval palace. A Jewish home. A living cultural centre.

Hidden in the winding streets of El Call, Barcelona's medieval Jewish Quarter, it's one of the oldest surviving houses in the city and once formed part of a larger medieval palace. Casa Adret.

The building takes its name from its last documented Jewish owner, Astruc Isaac Adret, a wealthy member of the Jewish community of Cervera. Following the anti-Jewish attacks of 1391, Astruc and his wife Bonafilla were forced to convert to Christianity, and the house was sold in 1393 — marking the end of its Jewish ownership.

More than eight centuries later, the building still preserves extraordinary traces of its past: original medieval stonework, Romanesque architectural elements, and rare mezuzah niches carved into the stone doorposts, offering a tangible connection to the Jewish families who once lived here. The central courtyard still shows the outline of the original well, and careful restoration work over the 20th and 21st centuries has preserved these layers of history rather than erasing them.

Founded in 2017 by cultural platform Mozaika, Casa Adret has entered a new chapter as a vibrant centre for Jewish culture and heritage. Today it hosts lectures, exhibitions, concerts, educational programmes, podcasts, artist residencies, and community events, and is home to organisations including AEPJ, Toldot Barcelona, Alhayam Podcast, the Institute of Jewish Studies, and LABA Barcelona — once again a place of Jewish life, learning, and dialogue.

Every visit directly supports Casa Adret's preservation, programming, and community-based heritage initiatives. By choosing Toldot Barcelona, you become part of the living story of Jewish Barcelona.

[Read the full story of Casa Adret and the Adret family →]

Casa Adret is a unique 12th-century building that brings together architecture, archaeology, community, and Jewish history in one intimate space.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I visit Casa Adret?

There are a few ways to visit: join one of our Jewish heritage tours , which already includes entry to the house, or book this standalone 30-minute guided visit if you'd like a shorter, focused visit to Casa Adret on its own. You can also check Mozaika's cultural agenda for other events happening at Casa Adret. Visit: https://mozaika.es/agenda/

Is Casa Adret really the home of Rashba?

No — this is a common misconception repeated by some guides and tour companies. Casa Adret is a genuine medieval building in Barcelona's Jewish Quarter, but it was not the home of Rabbi Solomon Adret (the Rashba). Toldot Barcelona tells the real, documented history of the house and its former Jewish owners, rather than the popular myth. We go beyond the myth as the only tour company with keys to the house, offering a full tour of its archaeological remains, award-winning architecture, and its ongoing role as a Jewish culture hub — most tours that mention Casa Adret only stop outside the building.

Is the visit suitable for people with mobility issues?
Yes, Casa Adret has wheelchair access and an elevator so that 4 floors of the house can be visited. Unfortunately, the rooftop is not accesible by wheelchair.

Can Casa Adret be booked for private events, like a Bar Mitzvah or Shabbat dinner?
Yes — Casa Adret hosts private ceremonies, seminars, workshops, and Sephardic concerts. Contact us to discuss your event or learn more about our Bar-Bat Mitzvah here.