Sinagoga de Besalú, Medieval Jewish ritual bath and synagogue complex in Besalú, Spain
Sinagoga de Besalú is a medieval complex combining an underground ritual bath chamber with a synagogue structure built in Romanesque style. The bath features barrel-vaulted ceilings, a stone staircase descending into it, and a small window that allows daylight to reach the chamber below.
The complex dates to the 13th century and underwent restoration in two phases that revealed its original medieval layout. Its rediscovery in 1964 by a local landowner brought attention to the medieval Jewish presence in the region.
The ritual bath served as a space where community members performed purification rituals before religious observances. The connected synagogue functioned as both a place of worship and a gathering space for the community's daily spiritual and social life.
Accessing the underground chamber requires descending stone steps, so comfortable footwear is advisable. The spaces are modest in size, so plan your visit accordingly and remember that exploring takes only a brief amount of time.
This structure is one of only four preserved ritual baths surviving in Europe and the sole example on the Iberian Peninsula. Its water capacity and architectural details helped experts confirm its precise religious function when it was rediscovered.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
