Sinagoga del Agua — Attraction in Úbeda

A Hidden Gem: The Synagogue de Agua in Úbeda The Synagogue de Agua in Úbeda is a must-see for anyone who wants to explore the rich history of Andalusia. This hidden treasure, located deep in the heart of the city, is a testament to the Jewish presence in Úbeda and a stunning example of medieval architecture.

What to Expect:

✅Historical Significance: The Synagogue de Agua is one of the few surviving synagogues in Spain built before the expulsion of the Jews in 1492. It offers a fascinating insight into Jewish life and culture during this period. ✅Architectural Beauty: The synagogue is a masterpiece of architecture, with beautiful vaults, intricate decorations, and a unique design. Meticulous restoration has helped preserve its original splendor. ❗Guided Tours: Unfortunately, the guided tours are only in Spanish, making it difficult for tourists to follow the thematically focused tour. However, there are booklets with information in English, French, Italian, and German so you can follow the tour thematically.

I was deeply impressed by the beauty and history of the Synagogue de Agua. The tour was informative and captivating, and I learned a lot about the Jewish community in Úbeda. It was an unforgettable experience that I would recommend to anyone interested in history, architecture, or religion.

Tip: Don't book the tour online, but rather on-site, as it can be combined with a tour of another Jewish house for a lower price.

Conclusion:

The Synagogue de Agua is a truly interesting place that will take you on a journey back in time. It is a must-see for every visitor to Úbeda and an unforgettable experience that you will remember for...

Tours are at specific times (a time table is advertised). While we had to wait for the tour to start we got an 8 page booklet in English. But the tour was done in Spanish and you have to read the accompanying text in the booklet while the guide is rambling in Spanish and CLEARLY saying a lot more than was in the booklet. The booklet for each topic was about 5 lines which you can read quickly and then you have to stand around and wait until the guide finishes and you can move on. So if you don't speak Spanish the guide is useless basically. Why not do a tour in English? The building is very small and underwhelming in my opinion. The trinkets on display were gifts apparently from the Jewish community but it looked more like a display kids would make for a show and tell in school. The entrance price for this synagogue is way to high and not worth the price of admission due to the very poor guidance...

Interesting guided visit for €5 of a fairly recently rediscovered medieval synagogue, or so it is believed. Developers of three adjacent buildings in 2006 found a basement with huge earthenware vases half sunk into the ground, all covered in sand and debris. Further excavations revealed a number of wells in adjacent cellars that were full of rubble, and a perfectly preserved large rectangular ceremonial bath down seven steps, all carved out of solid rock inside what must have been a prehistoric cave created by underground streams. Also a number of arches, columns and architectural features including a double prayer gallery as used by women in synagogues, above a central space that would have been used by men. Archaeologists concluded that during medieval and renaissance times this building had indeed been used as a clandestine synagogue during periods when the Jewish faith was...