Sinagoga de Santa María La Blanca — Attraction in Toledo

I was shocked to see that there was an anti-semitic art exhibit in an external courtyard of the church, with a full size billboard inside describing the exhibit. This is abhorrent to Jews--including Reform or Progressive Jews. According to my memory, the art exhibit attempts to bring together Catholic and Jewish in some effort at "peacemaking". Per the woman sitting at the exhibit, the artist is Jewish by identity , but raised Catholic. The symbol of the dove is used for Jesus and he tries to say that this can bring Jews together as it is a representation for Jews of peace. By conjoining the two in one symbol, he is saying that the two can be brought together in one--in Jesus. That is not what Judaism is about or what Jews believe in. This exhibit is an attempt to proselytize to Jews and possibly to others--but without any understanding of Judaism. Another example of a homogeneous culture "not getting" the others that are in their midst. Traveling to Andalucia--which we loved, I was well aware that we would be visiting Jewish sites in a country where there aren't Jews (or very few). At least have some understanding of the past and how it affects the present! When I expressed to the the women who worked there how this exhibit affected me, they first told me that the exhibit wasn't in the church/synagogue. But it was-- as there is a full mural/panel with art from the exhibit and the message attached to it. They seemed to be at a loss as to why I would find this disturbing. Same with the woman who sat at the exhibit with a Jewish star necklace on. Another reason I am glad I live in a country with separation of...

Visited in August 2024 First Synagogue I have ever been in and it was very beautiful. It was a nice stop that was incorporated into the Toledo city card for one price and was worth coming and seeing.

The Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca is a former Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at 4 Calle Reyes Católicos, in the historic old city of Toledo, in the province of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. Erected in the late twelfth or early thirteenth century, it is disputably considered the oldest synagogue building in Europe still standing.

The building was converted to a Catholic church in the early 15th century. The synagogue is located in the former Jewish quarter of the city between the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes and the Synagogue of El Tránsito. It is one of three preserved synagogues constructed by Jews in a Mudéjar or Moorish style under the rule of the Christian...

This synagogue is one of the oldest Jewish places of worship in Spain and serves as a unique historical monument that reflects the cultural influences of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. It was built around 1180 by the Jewish community. However, after the Alhambra Decree of 1492, which led to the expulsion of Jews from Spain, the Jewish community in Toledo disappeared, and the synagogue was converted into a Christian church. The name Santa María la Blanca was given after its conversion to a Catholic place of worship. Unlike traditional synagogues, it emphasizes a harmonious interplay of light and space through its high ceilings and arched columns. It is characterized by the Mudéjar architectural style, with intricate plaster decorations that stand out...