Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca description and photos - Spain: Toledo (Topic)

Synagoga de Santa Maria la Blanca description and photos - Spain: Toledo. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Sinagoga de Santa Maria la Blanca.

Photo and Description

Located on the outskirts of Toledo between the Church of San Juan de los Reyes and the Synagogue del Tranzito, the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca is one of the oldest synagogues in Europe.

The Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca, originally called the Ibn Shushan Synagogue, was built in 1180. Created by Arab architects for Jewish use, at a time when Toledo was already conquered by Christian kings, this synagogue is a kind of symbol of the cultural unity of three different peoples who inhabited the Iberian Peninsula.

The building was erected in the Mudejar style. Thanks to the use of certain materials, the use of stylistic elements and structures, this building is considered one of the best examples of Moorish architecture of the Almohad era.

In 1391, a huge fire broke out in the building of the temple. In 1405, the synagogue was transformed into a Christian church dedicated to the Holy Virgin Mary White. The dilapidated temple was empty for a long time. At the beginning of the 18th century, its premises were used to house the city's military forces. During the war with Napoleon's army, the building of the temple was used as a military warehouse. Only at the end of the 19th century was the synagogue partially restored and used as a church.

The interior of the synagogue is decorated with 32 octagonal pillars that divide the premises into five naves. Each of the naves ends with a Spanish plateresque chapel. The interior walls are white, and the arches are decorated with fine capitals. and the richly decorated plateresque altar give the building's interior a majesty and elegance.

We also recommend reading Jostedalsbreen glacier description and photos - Norway: Nordfjord

Topic: Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca description and photos - Spain: Toledo.