Jewish Quarter (Bairro Judia)

The Jewish quarter of Castelo de Vide, the Judiaria, is one of the best-preserved in Portugal, and it spreads over the steep slope below the castle in a maze of narrow, whitewashed lanes. The town had a large and active Jewish community in the late Middle Ages, and the quarter grew around a synagogue and a market square, at a time when Jewish artisans, merchants, and doctors played an important part in the economy of the region. After the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492, many families crossed the nearby border and settled here, and the community swelled for a few years, before King Manuel I ordered all Jews to convert or leave Portugal in 1496 and 1497.

Walking through the quarter today gives a sense of how the community lived. The lanes are narrow and steep, paved with granite cobbles and edged with houses of stone, with small doors, arched passages, and external staircases. In places the houses have arched stone doorways and windows in the late Gothic style, and some doorframes have a groove cut on the right side where a small case holding a scroll with verses of scripture, a mezuzah, once hung. The quarter's streets have names that recall the community, such as the Rua da Judiaria, and the whole district keeps a calm, village-like atmosphere. The former synagogue, a small Gothic building, now houses a museum and is the centrepiece.

The story of the community does not end in 1497. Many Jews were forced to convert, and became known as New Christians, and some continued to practise their faith in secret for generations, while others left for the Netherlands, the Ottoman Empire, and the Americas. The town has taken part in the Sefarad route, a heritage trail that commemorates the dispersal of the Sephardic Jews and their descendants across the world, and the quarter is part of the network of Jewish heritage sites in Portugal. Visitors of Sephardic descent sometimes come to trace their roots.

The quarter lies close to the main square, Praça D. Pedro V, with its pillory and fountain, and to the castle, so it is easy to combine with other sights. The town's many fountains and small gardens add to the pleasure of the walk. Wear comfortable shoes, since the lanes are steep and the cobbles can be slippery.

The quarter suits history readers, photographers, and anyone interested in Jewish heritage. Allow an hour or two for a slow walk.