Jewish Heritage Europe

Spain: Former medieval synagogue in Híjar shortlisted for Europa Nostra’s “7 Most Endangered” List

  Despite some urgent repair work and archaeology carried out in 2017-2020, the medieval former synagogue in Híjar, Spain has been placed among the 12 threatened heritage sites in Europe shortlisted for Europa Nostra’s 7 Most Endangered program for 2022. … continue reading →

Spain: Were they medieval synagogues (or not)? Investigations regarding buildings in the towns of Utrera and Inca (Mallorca).

This anonymous, early 15th century Catalan painting "Christ Among the Doctors" shows what the bimah in the medieval Hijar synagogue probably looked like. The painting is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Investigations are under way in the Spanish town of Utrera to determine if the foundations of a medieval synagogue lie under a former pub in the city center. At the same time, on the island of Mallorca another building that … continue reading →

The JHE New Years Newsletter is out!

Zodiac on the ceiling of the disused synagogue in Siret, Romania (2006)

The New Years edition of the Jewish Heritage Europe Newsletter is out! Looking forward to 2021, we look back at our most-shared posts from 2020 and also provide a summary of the news, views, and insights we published over the … continue reading →

Spain: 3-year restoration work at medieval synagogue in Hijar is winding up; remarkable finds during the process, including remains of the bimah, document its history

This anonymous, early 15th century Catalan painting "Christ Among the Doctors" shows what the bimah in the medieval Hijar synagogue probably looked like. The painting is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

(JHE) — Extensive restoration work is winding up at the former medieval synagogue in Híjar, a small town in the northern Spanish region of Aragon. The first stage of work in 2017  revealed striking evidence of the building’s history, including … continue reading →