Exploring Portugal's Jewish Heritage with Portugal by Travel Tailors
This journey of discovery through southern Portugal’s Sephardic Jewish heritage shows just how Portugal developed into the country you see today.
This Portugal by TravelTailors one-week itinerary covers many of Portugal’s key sights, starting in Lisbon and passing through Alentejo, taking in buildings, monuments and places of worship that are rich in heritage. Of course, Portugal by TravelTailors can also offer completely tailor-made itineraries for you and your valuable clients.
You’ll dive deep into the tragic abolishment of the Jewish faith in 1497 and the story that follows, as the religion reestablished itself in Portugal.
Lisbon
Lisbon is nothing short of captivating, its cobbled streets, colourful buildings and white-domed cathedrals tumbling down the hillside towards the ocean. Begin with two days to explore the capital, with a focus on the city’s Jewish background.
Lisbon’s Jewish Quarter & the Shaare Tikva Synagogue
Lisbon’s Jewish heritage is thought to date back to the 8th Century, just before the city fell to the Moors. The Alfama Quarter is one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods and was home to one of the first Jewish communities here, attracting Jewish refugees throughout the centuries until the abolishment of Judaism in the 15th Century. Sadly much of this part of the city was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, which wreaked havoc on the city.
Explore this important part of Jewish history and pay a visit to Lisbon’s Shaare Tikva Synagogue. Portugal by Travel Tailors can also coordinate participation in the prayers or attendance of the Shabbat. In the 19th Century, Judaism was no longer illegal and Sephardi Jews from Morocco and Gibraltar started to migrate back to Lisbon and other parts of Portugal. Now an important memorial to Lisbon's harrowing religious history, Shaare Tikva Synagogue was built in 1904, the first to be built in Portugal since the 15th Century - a momentous occasion.
Jewish Culture & Food Experience
The Sephardic Jewish community in Portugal brought with them rich and layered gastronomy. With influence from Spain, Morocco, Iraq, and Italy, the food is a wonderful blend of flavours. Today’s experience begins with a walk through some of the most important Jewish neighbourhoods in Lisbon.
Your guide for the day is not only Jewish but a trained chef and sommelier. Head to the market and shop for ingredients before a cookery class, where you’ll prepare a mouthwatering feast of Sephardic dishes, served alongside a selection of Kosher wines.
Visit the cultural hub of Sintra
The hilltop town of Sintra is a hub for arts and culture, having attracted writers and royalty through the centuries. It was once the summer retreat for Portugal’s royal family and inspired the works of Lord Byron and William Beckford.
Start the day in Sintra, exploring its ancient palaces and learning myths of Celtic bards and Moorish legends. Wander the historical centre, now protected by UNESCO, diving down narrow streets overflowing with flowers and local crafts. After a traditional local lunch, you’ll be driven along the coast to Cascais, a former fishing village that’s evolved into a vibrant town.
Alentejo
A verdant region that’s all vineyards, cork plantation and wheat fields, Alentejo is the perfect antidote to city life in Lisbon. It spans a huge flat area of southern Portugal, stretching from the Rio Tejo in the south to the northern mountains of the Algarve. It’s an area rich in Jewish history and home to EVora, one of the largest Jewish communities in Portugal.
Explore the palaces & synagogues of Evora
Until the end of the 15th Century, Evora was home to one of Portugal’s largest Jewish communities. Located inside a fortress, the community was large enough to justify two synagogues, a hospital, a leper colony and a “mikveh”, a place for ritual baths. You can still see some of the original signs now and the Evora musuem houses a series of Hebrew tombstones.
Opposite the museum you can see the former Inquisition Court and Palace, where the autos da fé took place, punishing those that spoke against the Christian religion. Common punishments included being burned to death, whipping and other forms of torture. You can visit the former Palace of Inquisition, exploring the trial chamber and the Painted House, a gallery housing impressive 16th Century frescoes. It’s a heavy day but provides important insight into the history of Portugal’s Jewish community and the struggles they faced.
Ribafreixo kosher olive oil and wines
Enjoy a guided tour through the Ribrafreixo Winery, visiting the vineyards and finishing at the Panoramic Restaurant on-site. Sample delicious and traditional Alentejo cuisine in a refined setting, accompanied by incredible scenery. It’ll be served - of course - with some Kosher olive oils and wines to boot.
Continue on to enjoy an afternoon cruise on Alqueva Lake, one of Europe’s largest man-made lakes. It’s a popular spot for watersports enthusiasts and the pathways around the lake are fun to explore by bike and on-foot. Spend a few hours surrounded by the nature of the lake, staying for an evening stargazing experience at the lakeside observatory.
For those who wish to continue the adventure, tag on a week in the north of Portugal, delving further into the country’s Jewish history and culture. Portugal by Travel Tailors offers a two-week version of this itinerary that takes in the Douro Valley and Mafra.
Otherwise, it’s back to Lisbon for wining and dining before the flight home. If you have travellers that are interested in exploring Portugal’s Jewish heritage, we’d love to put you in touch with Portugal by Travel Tailors to discuss logistics and inspiration.
We do hope you found this information useful and interesting. For more information on Portugal by Travel Tailors and to set up a meeting please get in touch.
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