Spain - once a powerful imperial state that conquered the New World - was home to a large and vibrant Jewish community since the time of the Romans. Despite prejudice, Spanish Jews often thrived, until the arrival of the Inquisition when they endured forced conversions, persecution and expulsion. The history of the Jews in Spain was both inspirational and tragic. A luxury Jewish trip to Spain can uncover a lost world of medieval Jewish history and culture.
As well as featuring important Jewish heritage sites, a customized tour of Spain will give you the opportunity to explore some of Europe’s finest architecture, museums and galleries and sample amazing kosher Spanish cuisine, and the best of Spain’s famous viniculture. This article provides some excellent recommendations for a tailored itinerary when you plan a private Jewish heritage tour of Spain.
Madrid, home to the Prado museum and Reina Sofia art museum, is Spain’s thousand year old capital and the second biggest city in the European Union. It’s set in the hills almost exactly in the center of the Iberian Peninsula and had its own Juderia or Jewish Quarter near the present day Teatro Real. By 1481, only a tiny number of Jews remained in Madrid and the community did not begin to flourish again until the 20th century.
Madrid’s modern Jewish community is welcoming to guests and there are plenty of opportunities to meet Spanish Jews and take part in community activities. Try a flamenco evening with traditional music and kosher tapas, or some kosher gourmet dining. Apart from exploring Jewish culture in Madrid, it’s definitely worth visiting the Royal Palace and Retiro Park - which is a great place for energetic kids.
Madrid is a convenient base for a private day trip to the historical old city of Toledo, one of the most beautiful destinations of any Jewish trip to Spain. A guided walking tour of Toledo’s Jewish Quarter takes in the beautiful 14th century Sinagoga del Tránsito, noted for its Moorish design and the Sephardic Museum. A tour also explores the Santa María la Blanca (Ibn Shoshan) synagogue which some claim is the oldest extant synagogue in Europe.
A tour of Toledo (home to famous Toledo steel and swordsmithing traditions) gives a wonderful insight into how past generations of Spanish Jews lived and worked, and how they coexisted with Spanish Christians before the horrors of the Inquisition. Toledo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and your tour can also include visits to the Alcázar fort and the city’s stunning gothic cathedral.
The Southern city of Cordoba is another UNESCO World Heritage Site and was once an important center of Jewish culture and learning and the home to the rabbi, physician and philosopher Maimonides, one of the great Jewish polymaths. The Juderia contains the famous Cordoba Synagogue, built in 1315 in the distinctive and intricate Moorish style. There is also a bronze statue of Maimonides and the mysterious Alchemy Museum and the House of the Sephards museum.
It’s a real pleasure to explore the beautiful medieval streets of the Juderia on foot. A professional guide will bring five centuries of Jewish history to life and provide a poignant insight into the lives of Cordoban Jews. Cordoba has a deeper history that spans the Roman Empire, the Moorish Conquest and the Spanish Reconquista. The iconic Mezquita (Great Mosque-Cathedral) and Roman bridge are just two of its fascinating historical sites.
If you just want to explore the Juderia, Cordoba is 2 hours from Madrid by high speed train; close enough for a day trip. If you really want to feast on the city’s history, architecture and culture, it’s worth spending a few days in Cordoba. An experienced Jewish travel company can help you to find kosher-friendly luxury accommodation with kosher dining.
Another must-see Jewish heritage site when you travel to Spain is Granada, capital of the synonymous province. Granada lies at the foot of the Sierra Nevadas mountain and at the confluence of four rivers. The region has been populated for at least 7,000 years and is world famous for cultural treasures like Alhambra and the medieval Albaicin quarter. Granada has a splendid Jewish heritage and its community was once 20,000 strong. In the 11th century Joseph Ha-Nagid, son of the celebrated Samuel Ha-Nagid was Vizier of Granada.
Granada’s historic Jewish Quarter is now part of the modern Realejo. One of the first destinations of a guided walk is the Sephardic Museum of Granada. Jews in Granada lived under both Muslim and Christian rule and a tour of the Realjo gives some useful insights into how the Jewish community (mainly traders and artisans) survived and frequently prospered under different rulers.
Ironically, the rich history of Spain’s Jews was torn apart in Granada by the Alhambra Decree or Edict of Expulsion in 1492. After a century of persecution and forced conversions, Jews who retained their faith were expelled from Spain. The Conversos who remained were at the mercy of the Inquisition.
Alhambra represents both the peak and the nadir of Jewish history in Spain and is a fascinating and poignant place to explore during a Jewish trip to Spain. The stunning Alhambra Palace & Gardens are a testimony to the city’s former splendour. If you need a break from sightseeing, try a relaxing Arab-style bath or family hike in Sierra Nevada foothills.
Jewish heritage travel to Spain is definitely not just for adults who are interested in history and culture - although there’s enough of both to justify several trips. Spain is a great place for kids (although it’s better to travel in the milder spring or autumn). You can expose your kids to one of the most advanced and sophisticated Jewish cultures in the medieval diaspora, and to some of Europe’s greatest cultural treasures, but there’s plenty for them to do when the shine of synagogues, museums and palaces wears off.
Spain is essentially a child-friendly society with great activities and excursions available for kids of all ages. It’s also a country with amazing scenery, nature reserves and world-class beaches. Hiking, watersports and other adventures are easily accessible for US tourists. If you want to create a custom itinerary for a luxury - and kosher-friendly - Jewish trip to Spain, talk to Gil Travel today.
Written by Iris Hami, President of Gil Travel Group, the largest travel management firm sending people to Israel. She has over 40 years of experience in the travel industry, and uses that knowledge to craft unique Jewish journeys around the world.
