Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca

The Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca

The Toledo audio-guided tour presents you with the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, one of the oldest in Spain, in the heart of the former juderia.

The Great Synagogue of Toledo

Built in 1180 by Mudéjar workers, those Muslims who remained in Toledo after the Christian conquest, the synagogue surprises with its dazzling white interior, its pillars and its horseshoe arches, which evoke a mosque; it does not, moreover, have the gallery reserved for women of classic synagogues. In 1260, the Jewish community obtained from Alphonse X the exceptional authorisation to rebuild its temple to make it the largest and finest in Spain. Funded by the Jewish community and rebuilt by Mudéjar masons under the name of the Great Synagogue, the building was, for more than a century, the main Hebrew place of worship of the city, a witness of the rich history of the three cultures of Toledo.

What there is to see

The Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca marvels with the whiteness of its horseshoe arches and the finesse of its Mudéjar architecture, in an atmosphere conducive to contemplation. A unique witness of the meeting of the Jewish, Muslim and Christian cultures in Toledo, it is among the oldest synagogues in Spain and invites a journey into the history of the city.

Practical information

The Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca is in the former juderia of Toledo. It can be visited according to hours to be checked on site; access is generally subject to a charge, with respect for the place.

Why does the synagogue resemble a mosque?

Because it was built by Mudéjar workers, in a style with horseshoe arches typical of Muslim art.

From when does the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca date?

From 1180, then rebuilt from 1260 under Alphonse X; it is one of the oldest synagogues in Spain.