According to the mayor of Utrera, an old nightclub in Utrera, Andalusia, Spain, has been confirmed as one of the rare surviving heritages of the Sephardic Jews who were expelled in 1492.
Inside the medieval synagogue discovered in Spain. (Source: Utrera City Hall).
The Guardian reported on February 8 that archaeologists in Utrera recently uncovered one of the rare medieval synagogues still in existence, which had been used for 7 centuries as a hospital, orphanage, and later as a restaurant, pub, and nightclub.
Experts indicate that in 1492, the Jews in Spain (Sephardic Jews) were completely expelled. Previously, they had lived in the country for many centuries and since the 10th century, they played a pioneering role in developing culture and spirituality in the region. Later, wherever the Sephardic Jews went, they left significant cultural influences.
Thus, the discovery of this synagogue is of great importance for historical research. One of the archaeologists shared with The Guardian: “This place is like a door or a loudspeaker through which the Sephardic Jews allow us the opportunity to learn about them.”
From records in Utrera’s history, the synagogue was found after 2 years of efforts by local authorities and experts. Utrera’s mayor, José María Villalobos, stated that the building was constructed in the 1300s.
“This discovery has validated the city council’s wise decision to acquire the building for 460,000 Euros four years ago, allowing us to conduct in-depth research on the history of our home, particularly regarding the Iberian Peninsula, attracting archaeologists and tourists,” José María Villalobos shared.
It is known that in 2015, the Spanish government passed a law granting citizenship to the descendants of those Jews who were expelled in 1492 to rectify what is referred to as a “historical mistake.” Over 130,000 people registered for citizenship under this program before it expired in 2019.
