Spain: Toledo Synagogue
- Matthew P G
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
June 2018
Toledo’s former major Synagogue, today Santa María la Blanca, is an icon of the city and of sephardic history in it. Its white columns have been a symbol of Toledo for centuries, transporting visitors to a bygone era and offering a haven of peace in today’s bustling world. The monument is well preserved, allowing visitors to appreciate its original design. The large surrounding garden offers a space to relax and enjoy a unique experience. Recently, an innovative LED lighting system has enhanced the way this historic gem is appreciated. Its uncertain and eventful history makes Santa María La Blanca a fascinating monument. Possibly built by figures such as Yosef ben Shushan or David ben Solomon Abi Darham, its origin is dated to between the late 12th and 14th centuries. After a fire in 1250, it was rebuilt, displaying great architecture with Nasrid influences. In the 15th century, it was converted into a church due to the preaching of St. Vincent Ferrer and political conflicts. Renaissance reforms in 1554 added chapels and vaults. In the 19th century, it was used as a barracks and declared a national monument in 1930. The architecture is a unique example of mudejar art in Toledo, fusing Muslim techniques with Castilian and Nasrid influences.
One of the must-see's of Toledo is its restored synagogue. So important was Toledo for the Spanish economy and educational system that even after the Reconquista, Moors and Jews were permitted to stay on so the city could continue to function as per usual. The synagogue was evidence of that because when it burnt down, the King himself permitted its rebuilding in a grand style.
Such the shame that over time islands of tolerance in Spain were eventually snuffed out - the last being Toledo and Seville.
I was impressed with the old synagogue interior (the outside was not much to look at). Although "sanitized" it still hinted at a different age of Spain. The country has a terrible history of how the Moors and Jews were treated, yet it has also come face to face with it. That is one thing I appreciate in modern Spain - brutal honesty with history (at least within Spain itself).
Toledo has so much to see - it really should have been more than a day trip.
Comments