Jewish Heritage Tour in Spain

by Kosher River Cruise Kosher Tour Operator

Gastro-tourism, amazing architecture, and heartwarming stories of the past – Spain has it all. That is why this is a perfect destination for a Jewish trip.

If you are planning a Jewish heritage tour in Spain, here are the must-visit places you should include in your itinerary.

Barcelona’s Jewish Remnant

Start your Jewish trip right by visiting the oldest synagogue in Spain – the Ancient Synagogue. Dating back to the 6th century, the Ancient Synagogue is located along narrow passages in the Jewish Quarter. The place is commonly called “Jewish Call” and it will surprise you how its appearance hasn’t changed for the 800 years.

Indeed, if you want to go back to earlier times, visiting Barcelona will take you there. Today, Barcelona has the largest Jewish population in Spain.

Heritage Pride of Segovia

Another UNESCO World Heritage site, Segovia has one of the biggest Juderias in all of Spain, but this is not known to everyone.

A must-visit place, Segovia is the home of the Corpus Christi Church. This church was once a major synagogue in Segovia. It showed how wealthy the culture of the Jewish community was during the medieval period.

You should also visit the Alcazar fortress – the place where Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand signed the order to expel Jews from Spain.

Its highlight includes the 392 pineapple-like stalactites and three-dimensional frieze of 52 kings who fought during the Reconquista.

Toledo’s Striving Jewish Community

Because of its beauty, Toledo is often referred to as “pearl”, and was once the true center of Spain to Christians, Moslems, and Jews alike.

Toledo is also one of the few cities that has properly conserved its Jewish edifices. You can find two synagogues that are built in Mudejar style, showing grandeur in its general appearance.

Striving Cordoba

Cordoba was once a Jewish community that was rich in poetry, philosophy, and scholars. This is the city where the great Maimonides wrote his great works.

However, the evidence of this great city can now only be found in Cada de Sefarad – a UNESCO Heritage Site. This city is also the home of the last standing medieval synagogue in Southern Spain.

Although this place has lost almost all the evidence of a once vibrant Jewish community, Córdoba is still worth including in your Jewish trip itinerary.

A Jewish heritage tour doesn’t necessarily mean that you only visit synagogues, artifact, museums, and the likes. It’s about how we reflect about the past, and give value to it as we look forward to becoming a more united people – regardless of our race, beliefs, and culture.