Jewish Heritage in Spain
Sepharad: The Golden Age and tragic expulsion of Spanish Jewry
Modern Connection: In 2015, Spain granted citizenship to descendants of expelled Sephardic Jews. Over 130,000 people from 90 countries applied!
Judería de Toledo
Toledo | 12th-15th century
One of the most important Jewish quarters in medieval Spain. Home to scholars, translators, and the School of Translators.
Modern Discovery:
Today tourists walk the same narrow streets where Jewish scholars debated Talmud. The Sephardic Museum preserves artifacts. In 2015, Spain offered citizenship to descendants of expelled Jews - over 130,000 applied!
Córdoba Synagogue
Córdoba | Built 1315
Only medieval synagogue in Andalusia that survives. Mudéjar style architecture. Incredibly ornate Hebrew inscriptions.
Modern Discovery:
Maimonides statue stands outside. Every year, scholars from around world visit. His philosophical works still studied in universities. In 2004, Córdoba officially apologized for the expulsion!
Call de Girona
Girona, Catalonia | 9th-15th century
Best-preserved Jewish quarter in Spain. Labyrinth of medieval streets. Housed famous Kabbalistic school.
Modern Discovery:
The Jewish Museum opened in 1992, exactly 500 years after expulsion. Contains original mikvehs (ritual baths). In 2023, discovered 14th-century Hebrew manuscripts hidden in walls during restoration!
Sinagoga Mayor de Segovia
Segovia | 13th century
Former major synagogue, converted to church after 1492. Recently restored to show Jewish origins.
Modern Discovery:
Archaeologists found Hebrew inscriptions under Christian plaster in 2018. Now runs programs teaching Sephardic history to Spanish students. Many descendants visit from Israel, USA, Turkey.
Santa María la Blanca
Toledo | Built 1180
Stunning synagogue with horseshoe arches. Shows pure Mudéjar-Jewish synthesis. Later became church.
Modern Discovery:
Used as backdrop for Game of Thrones! Hosts annual Sephardic music festival. In 2020, genetic study showed 20% of modern Spaniards have Sephardic Jewish ancestry!
Call de Barcelona
Barcelona | 11th-15th century
Major Jewish quarter in Gothic Quarter. Center of commerce and scholarship. Mostly destroyed in 1391 pogrom.
Modern Discovery:
In 2021, opened new underground museum showing medieval mikvehs and homes. Found 500+ Hebrew documents from Cairo Geniza mentioning Barcelona merchants. Active Sephardic community returned after 2015 citizenship law!
Jewish Lucena
Lucena, Andalusia | 10th-12th century
Unique: entire city was Jewish! Called "Pearl of Sepharad". Major Talmudic academy.
Modern Discovery:
In 2019, found massive Jewish cemetery with 300+ graves. DNA analysis shows direct links to modern Moroccan and Turkish Sephardim. Planning major Jewish heritage center by 2025!
Judería de Sevilla
Seville | 13th-15th century
Large Jewish quarter in Santa Cruz neighborhood. Center of Converso (converted Jews) culture post-1391.
Modern Discovery:
Spanish Inquisition records from Seville now digitized - show thousands of secret Jews. In 2022, memorial installed for Inquisition victims. Local DNA project found 15% have Jewish markers!