Synagogue of El Transito | Toledo

Information

Landmark: Synagogue of El Transito
City: Toledo
Country: Spain
Continent: Europe

Synagogue of El Transito, Toledo, Spain, Europe

The Synagogue of El Tránsito (Sinagoga del Tránsito) is a 14th-century historic building in the Jewish Quarter of Toledo, Spain. It currently houses the Sephardic Museum.

Visual Characteristics

Architecture: A prime example of Mudéjar architecture, characterized by its deceptively simple exterior and highly ornate interior.

The Prayer Hall: Features a spectacular rectangular hall with a high ceiling of paneled cedar wood (artesonado). The walls are decorated with intricate stucco work (yesería) incorporating Hebrew inscriptions, floral motifs, and coats of arms of the Kingdom of Castile.

Light: The upper walls feature multifoil arches and latticework windows that create filtered natural light within the space.

Location & Access

Address: C. Samuel Levi, s/n, 45002 Toledo.

District: Judería (Jewish Quarter).

Access: Paid admission; free entry on Saturdays from 2:00 PM and all day Sunday.

Hours: Tuesday–Saturday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM; Sunday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Closed on Mondays.

Key Highlights

Sephardic Museum: The museum occupies the synagogue and adjacent rooms, chronicling the history of Jewish culture in Spain from Roman times until the expulsion in 1492.

Women's Gallery: An upper-level gallery traditionally reserved for women, now housing parts of the museum's permanent collection.

Hebrew Inscriptions: The stucco friezes include psalms and praises to King Pedro I of Castile and his treasurer, Samuel ha-Levi, who commissioned the building.

Historical Context

Commissioned by Samuel ha-Levi Abulafia in 1357, the synagogue was built during a period of relative tolerance. After the expulsion of the Jews in 1492, it was converted into a Christian church (Nuestra Señora del Tránsito). It was declared a National Monument in 1877 and underwent restoration to preserve its original Jewish elements.