From Synagogue to Museum
Discover the history of the El Tránsito synagogue. A spectacular example of the coexistence of three cultures and a historical testimony to the Hebrew presence on the peninsula.
Press clipping with lithograph Interior of the Church of El Tránsito (1887) by J. García (illustration), Juan Serra (lithography)Museo Sefardí
Come with us to discover the different stages of the Samuel ha-Levi Synagogue, known as the Tránsito Synagogue, from its construction in the mid-14th century to its transformation into the Sephardic Museum, an institution whose mission is to shed light on the Jewish and Sephardic past.
Portrait of Samuel ha-Levi (2000) by Daniel QuinteroMuseo Sefardí
Samuel ha-Leví
Samuel ha-Levi was a prominent figure at the court of Pedro I of Castile, becoming the kingdom's chief treasurer and a member of the Royal Council. His privileged position allowed him to build the synagogue, despite the fact that it was forbidden to found a synagogue ex novo.
Templi Sanctae Mariae vulgo del Transito Orthographia (20th century) by José Domínguez (phoyography), Francisco Palomares (drawing)Museo Sefardí
Synagogue
This is the oldest surviving image of the synagogue, where we can see how its austere exterior contrasts with the dazzling interior decoration. We can see that the belfry and the bells have not yet appeared.
Details of the interior decoration of the Transit Church (19th century) by UnknownMuseo Sefardí
The synagogue's decoration combines Jewish and Andalusian elements. In the Great Hall, the walls are decorated with floral and geometric motifs, vaulted arches and columns, together with inscriptions in Hebrew and Kufic that form psalms, biblical quotations and praises of historical figures.
Painting (1828/1896) by Pablo GonzalvoMuseo Sefardí
The Church
After the expulsion of the Jewish community from the city, the building was donated to the Order of Calatrava. Christian elements were gradually added to the original decoration, such as the arcosolium, floral borders and classically inspired medallions.
Photograph with fragment of plasterwork from the Great Prayer Hall (1985) by UnknownMuseo Sefardí
During the Christian period, unlike many other Jewish spaces, the Hebrew and Islamic inscriptions are almost completely preserved. This may be due to the more private and domestic character associated with the Knights of Calatrava.
Reproduction obtained from a negative impression from the year 1934 from Arxiu Mas (1992) by UnknownMuseo Sefardí
Monument
The confiscation of ecclesiastical property from 1835 led to the desecration of the building, and its management passed into the hands of the State, beginning a new phase in which it was declared a National Monument in 1877.
Photograph of interior of the synagoghe during renovation work (20th century) by UnknownMuseo Sefardí
The photo shows the restoration carried out at the time by Arturo Mélida, who maintained the scaffolding in the oratory until it was incorporated into the Vega Inclán Foundation in 1911.
Postcard with the facade of the Museum (1910) by UnknownMuseo Sefardí
The Museum
The Sephardic Museum was created by Royal Decree in 1964, with the aim of exhibiting as many elements of Hebrew-Spanish culture as possible, and to create a centre for the study and dissemination of this culture.
Tombstone (13th-14th century) by UnknownMuseo Sefardí
The tombstones with Hebrew inscriptions from the old Jewish cemetery in Toledo are the origin of the museum's collections, and today it continues to collect, preserve and disseminate the Sephardic heritage.
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