The Sephardic Museum it is Located in theold Jewish quarter, since it has its headquarters in the old Synagogue of Samuel Ha-Levi, a treasurer of King Peter I. The Synagogue was built around 1355 with the authorization of King Peter, in gratitude for the help received in the confrontation against Enrique de Trastamara. The brick walls, the rich ceilings and the beautiful decorations make it a unique place, a reflection of the atmosphere of coexistence in the Toledo of the 14th century. The heart of the synagogue is preserved intact, which is the ancient prayer hall, where male Jews celebrated their worship three times a day.
The walls of this room are full of epigraphs where allusions are made to psalms and the figure of God, the king and also the treasurer are named, thanks to which the the temple. Rich filigree, plasterwork, floral and vegetal decorations decorate the main wall. Part of the school where rabbis taught Torah and the elevated women's gallery, all being integrated into the Museum's premises.
In 1492, after the edict of expulsion proclaimed by the Catholic Monarchs, the temple was granted to the Order of the Knights of Calatrava, and later transformed into a hermitage of San Benito, although everyone would know it as Hermitage of the Transit, for preserving inside a painting of the Transit of the Virgin Mary made by Juan Correa de Vivar that is today kept in the Prado Museum .
In 1877 it was declared a National Monument and in 1964 it was approved. the creation of the Sephardic Museum. Since the 70s the Sephardic Museum has He has been concerned with expanding his collection with different pieces, with loans from other museums and, above all, integrating the building into the collection's discourse. The Museum is divided into 5 rooms that collect the history of the Jewish community from its early times in the East to the expulsion of the Jews from the Iberian Peninsula, reaching the traditions of the Spanish Jews; oles preserved today. The museum courtyards are places of memory and remembrance of the Jews, since tombstones from the necropolises found in the city are exhibited.
March 1 to October 31:
Tuesday to Saturday: 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
November 1 to February 28:
From Tuesday to Saturday: 9:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Sunday and holidays: 10:00-15:00 hrs