This synagogue is located in what was once the Jewish quarter of the city, one of the three still…read moreextant. Whilst I believe the precise date of the building is disputed, it's been surmised that the building is late 12th/early 13th century based upon the architectural style. As is familiar in this area, the Catholic Church took possession of the synagogue and converted it in the Middle Ages. More recently the Jewish community requested it be relinquished to them as a symbolic gesture, but that request was not granted. There are no religious services held here at present; it functions as a museum. I thought the name was related to the large white pillars inside, but apparently it's a reference to a statue of Mary that was once housed here. This site isn't very large. However, I did find it worth the inexpensive entrance fee to pay a visit. You might be surprised to learn it's the third most visited site in the city! It's a very plain space, by today's standards. I'm so curious how the worship services may have unfolded both as a synagogue and a Catholic church. Though I'm more familiar with the christian faith, most churches don't have these kind of pillars that might obscure sight lines, but I also know that more ancient worship spaces would not have been configured or used in the same way. It's fascinating. The synagogue has been here for centuries, and as such has been witness to many events and many people. It's a contemplative, quiet place with a nice walled-in interior courtyard. Look all around--the tile work in the synagogue is really beautiful.

The Synagogue of Santa Maria La Blanca was built in 1180. (Saint Mary the White) There is an…read moreinscription on a beam that confirms the date. It has five naves separated by pillars supporting horseshoe arches. It is one of three preserved synagogues constructed y Jews in a Moorish style under the rule of the Christian Kingdom of Castile. It was turned into a church in either 1495 or 1411 and is now owned by and maintained by the Catholic Church.

This beautiful synagogue in the heart of historic Toledo is an important memorial to the Spanish…read moreExpulsion of the Jewish people under Ferdinand & Isabella in 1492 (it's hard to miss the irony that the synagogue sits on a street named after the Catholic Monarchs who signed the expulsion decree). Also known as the Synagogue of Samuel ha-Levi, the building is now also the city's Sephardic Museum, with a wide-ranging collection of Jewish artifacts that help tell the tragic, yet hopeful, story of Spain's Jews. The synagogue itself dates back to the 1350s, and is in pristine condition following a series of restorations in the 1800s and early 1900s. It's Islamic-inspired architecture is a reminder of the rich tapestry of cultures on which Spain is founded, before a long crusade by the Catholic Church to drive Jews, Muslims and Protestants from the Iberian Peninsula. Visitors to the Synagogue enter through it's stunning Prayer Hall, with its vaulted, wooden Mudéjar ceiling and gorgeous Torah Ark, which dominates the eastern wall. Much of the rest of the building contains the museum exhibits, which includes relics dating back more than 2,000 years. An outdoor courtyard contains gravestones from Toledo's Jewish cemetery, and the tour finishes in a gallery over the Prayer Hall that was originally reserved for women, who were prohibited from worshiping with men during services. A fascinating look into Spain's Jewish history and culture, the Sinagoga del Tránsito is well worth at least an hour of your time if visiting Toledo.

One of the beauties of Toledo is the convergence of the Christian, Muslim, and Jewish cultures in…read morethe churches, mosques, and synagogues respectively. That is why I decided to make my way to the Spanish Synagogue. There was some construction though, so I wasn't able to see everything as you may notice from the pictures in here. There is a guide via QR code, but it's a bit tough to coordinate reading while looking at the various artifacts. I found it better reading after the fact. Still pretty cool to learn about the history of the Jewish population in Toledo. This one is also 3 EUR to visit, so definitely worth the cost. The courtyward is fairly nice and peaceful as well.