Sinagoga Medieval de Castelo de Vide, Medieval synagogue in Santa Maria da Devesa, Portugal.
The Sinagoga Medieval de Castelo de Vide is a two-story stone building with Gothic elements in Santa Maria da Devesa. Pointed arches frame the entrances and windows, giving the structure a characteristic appearance of the period.
The synagogue was built in the late 14th century and operated until 1496, when King Manuel I decreed the expulsion of Jews from Portugal. This decree ended a long presence of Jewish life in the region and changed the community's history forever.
The interior preserves a 15th-century carved stone Torah ark with a pedestal decorated with seven spheres representing the days of the week. The space reflects the Jewish traditions that this community practiced for centuries.
The building operates today as a museum dedicated to Jewish heritage, displaying artifacts and information about the local Jewish community. Visitors should allow time to explore the carved details and rooms thoroughly.
A mezuzah containing fragments of the Shema prayer remains positioned above one of the ground floor doorways. This small object represents a direct link to a community that left traces of their presence before being forced to leave.
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