Híjar Synagogue

Historic former synagogue and former church, in Híjar, Spain

41°10′36″N 0°27′05″W / 41.17666°N 0.45134°W / 41.17666; -0.45134ArchitectureTypeSynagogue architectureCompleted15th centuryMaterialsStone^[1]

The Híjar Synagogue, also known as St. Anthony’s Synagogue, is a former Jewish congregation and synagogue, located in San Antón Square, Híjar, in the province of Teruel, Aragon, Spain. The building was used as a synagogue during the 15th century; as a Catholic church from 1492 until 2024; and, in 2024, plans were announced to restore the building as a synagogue.^[2]^[3]

History

Since the expulsion of the Jews from Spain it has been in use as the Church of San Antón in Híjar. The Jewish community in Híjar is known to have numbered 32 families as late 1481, after a series of pogroms and partial expulsions. Before the expulsion in 1492, the Jewish community of Híjar was noted for craftsmen expert in parchment-making and bookbinding. Híjar was also an early center for Hebrew printing.^[4]

The building is one of the best-preserved synagogue buildings on the Iberian Peninsula, after the synagogues of Toledo, Córdoba and Tomar.^[4]^[5]

References

^ "Synagogue in Híjar". Historic Synagogues of Europe. Foundation for Jewish Heritage and the Center for Jewish Art at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. n.d. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
^ Rosenberg, Michelle (August 28, 2024). "Next steps in restoration of medieval Spanish synagogue that survived 1492 expulsion". Jewish News (UK). Retrieved September 6, 2024.
^ "Medieval Synagogue in Hijar, Spain". Foundation for Jewish Heritage. n.d. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Gruber, Samuel (February 2010). "Spain: Roof Collapse at Former Synagogue of Híjar". Jewish Monuments.
^ "Spain: Former medieval synagogue in Híjar shortlisted for Europa Nostra's "7 Most Endangered" List". Jewish Heritage Europe. December 14, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2024.