Paris1972-Versailles2003

I bring you back to another of my favorite cities of my dear Spain. And many times visited with family nearby over the years, and of course, never enough written on it, I do have several posts on the city of Toledo, in the autonomous community of Castilla La Mancha ,and in the kingdom of Spain. I have split this older post to give more disclosure of their beauty , architecture and history of Toledo. Toledo is about 71 km (about 44 miles) from Madrid. However, let me tell you here about the off the beaten paths of wonderful museums ,such as the Museo Sefardi of Toledo !! Hope you enjoy the post as I

The Museo Sefardí or Sephardic Museum occupies the old Convent of Knights of Calatrava, annex to the Synagoga del Trànsito , and it shows historical, religious aspects and of the customs of the Jewish past in Spain, as well as of the Sephardim, the descendants of the Jews who lived in the Iberian peninsula until 1492. In 1964, it was decided that the Synagogue of the Transit or synagogue of Samuel ha-Leví be the seat of the Sephardic museum, which aims to preserve the legacy of the Hispanic-Jewish and Sephardic culture so that it is integrated as essential part of the Spanish Historical Heritage, a task that it performs until today.

The first room shows the history, geography and culture of the Jewish people in the Ancient Near East, where, according to biblical writings, traditions that last in their daily lives originated. Archaeological objects dated between 2000 BC are shown. and the first century A.D. as well as a wide variety of cultural objects related to what it is and what it means to be Jewish, your beliefs and customs. It highlights a Torah, the sacred book of Judaism, formed by the Pentateuch and other liturgical objects.

In the northern courtyard, as a necropolis, some of the tombstones of Jewish characters from various parts of Spain are exposed. In the east courtyard the archaeological remains of some possible public baths of the old Jewish quarter of Toledo and the floor of the old hejal (main wall) of the synagogue are preserved.

The women’s gallery, a special room for liturgical monitoring by the female gender that has the synagogue. As in other cultures, Judaism does not allow women to follow the liturgy from the prayer hall. In this space, which preserves part of its original plasterwork decoration, showcases related to the daily life of the Sephardim are shown: their birth, education, main parties, death, etc.

The Tránsito Synagogue was built in 1357 by order of the treasurer of King Pedro I, Samuel Levi. Archaeological digs suggest that this imposing construction is probably located on the grounds of an older synagogue. In 1492, the Catholic Monarchs donated it to the military Order of Calatrava, which transformed it into a priory. During the Napoleonic Wars, it served as barracks. As in many cases, the brick façade is austere and without decoration, but the interior is of great beauty. This is probably one of the best examples of Mudejar style in Spain. of harmonious dimensions with 23 meters long on 9.50 meters wide, and 17 meters high, it has a coffered ceiling in larch, richly adorned. With a special entrance, the Ladies ‘ day-care center is well lit by five large windows. It is the interior decoration that made this building famous with the wall that hosts the niche reserved for the Sifrei Torah, is covered with panels and a frieze of plaster carved in the oriental tradition. Many inscriptions run along the walls ,commemorating the name of Samuel Levi and Pedro I. Excerpts from the Psalms complete the décor illuminated by windows finely decorated with small columns and mashrabiyya of stone lace. In the dependencies, the museum exhibits donations and coins collected throughout Spain, which will allow you to explore the history of Spanish Judaism. Seminars, courses and lectures are organized during the year on topics related to Spanish Judaism. The synagogue is not used for worship.

The Toledo tourist office on the Sinagoga del Transito/museo Sefardi : https://turismo.toledo.es/recursos/museos-y-monumentos/id615-museo-sefardi–sinagoga-del-transito.html

The Castilla La Mancha regional tourist office on the Sinagoga del Transito/museo Sefardi : https://en.www.turismocastillalamancha.es/patrimonio/museo-sefardi-sinagoga-del-transito-2264/descripcion/

There you go folks, something unique in lovely Toledo, worth the detour , me think. The museum is a wonderful historical ,architecturally stunning building, that are to be admired and visited. Again,hope you have enjoy this post on the Museo Sefardi of Toledo as I.

And remember, happy travel, good health, and many cheers to all !!!