Alchemy saw its heyday at the time of the Caliphate of Córdoba, under Abd-ar-Rahman III, a legacy passed down by Islamic civilization, which created a bridge between the Ancient World and the Middle Ages. Having been vilified and condemned as heresy, Philip II managed to recover a large number of alchemical remedies and works at El Escorial.
The museum, situated in the Jewish quarter of Córdoba, houses a unique collection of alchemy stones, elixirs, medicines and stills in perfect working order. It also features a library, conference rooms and an astronomical observatory.