Seville Jewish Quarter Interpretation Center

The Interpretation Center of the Jewish Quarter of Seville is a fascinating museum located in the heart of the Santa Cruz neighborhood, one of the most historic and picturesque areas of Seville. This center offers visitors a valuable opportunity to explore and understand the history and culture of the Jewish community that lived in this city for centuries, until their expulsion in 1492. The history of the Jews in Seville is long and complex, dating back to Roman times and continuing through the Islamic and Christian periods. The Jewish Quarter of Seville was one of the largest and most important Jewish communities in the Iberian Peninsula, a place of vibrant economic and cultural activity. However, with the advent of the Inquisition and the persecutions that followed, many Jews were forced to convert to Christianity or leave the city, marking the end of an era. The Interpretation Center of the Jewish Quarter of Seville is located on Calle Ximénez de Enciso, right in the heart of the old Jewish quarter, now known as Santa Cruz. This neighborhood is a maze of narrow and winding streets, still retaining the atmosphere and charm of the past. The museum aims to recover and enhance Sephardic Jewish culture, telling the story of the Jews in Seville through a series of permanent and temporary exhibitions. The center’s permanent exhibition includes a vast collection of manuscripts, original documents from the Inquisition, and objects related to Jewish life and religion. Among the most significant pieces is the symbolic painting “Expulsión de los Judíos de Sevilla,” which represents one of the few artistic examples dedicated to this dramatic event. Through these works, the museum tells not only the story of persecutions, but also the stories of daily life, customs, songs, proverbs, and legends of the Jewish community. The center also offers guided tours that take visitors through the main historical sites of the Jewish quarter. These guided walks are a unique opportunity to discover the hidden traces of Jewish presence, such as ancient temples, streets, and houses that were once integral parts of the Jewish Quarter. The center’s expert guides enrich the experience with stories and anecdotes that bring the past to life and help to better understand the social and cultural dynamics of the time.