Sefarad – Obidos e Tomar – Jewish Roots and Templar Syncretism

We will take a walk through the rich history of the Portuguese Jews, showing who they were and how they lived until the period of forced conversion. We will also show how their influence was felt in what was the most powerful Order in Europe during the Middle Ages.

From Lisbon, we will head towards Óbidos, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Europe.

To go through Óbidos is to take a leap in History and visit medieval Portugal. The white houses decorated in shades of blue and yellow, keep the characteristics of the beginning of nationality.

In Óbidos we will visit the streets where the Jewish Portuguese lived and we will identify the marks they left in the buildings.

We will see the place of prayer and tell the stories of the medieval town.

We will climb the castle where we will enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding plain. We will finish our visit with a taste of "ginjinha", the local liqueur.

We will continue on to Tomar where we will visit the historic area and the old Synagogue, now the Abraão Zacuto Luso-Hebrew Museum.

Adjacent to the Synagogue is the oldest Mikveh and some houses which still retain their Sephardic essence.

A visit to the Convent of Christ, a World Heritage Site, is a must, not only for its beauty, but also to better understand how Templar syncretism was important to the Jewish communities in Portugal during the medieval period.

Come with us and discover Sephardic History!