Capital of “Beira Baixa”, near the Spanish border and the river “Tejo”, Castelo Branco has a medieval well defined intra-walls zone with a remarkable set of building traces mainly resulting from the fifteenth century and the setting of Jews expelled from Spain which is estimated to have resulted in a population increase of 60% and a huge increase in construction.
In the most recent inventory are record 291 beveled doors, from which 6 are in broken arch, 112 beveled windows, a very significant number of doors lintels and worked windows, 2 religious symbols clearly Jewish (1 damaged Menorah with a cruciform overlap and 1 Mesusah) and 63 cruciform associated with the presence of New Christians. The remains of the damaged Menorah with the cruciform are visible on the number 10 of “D’Ega” street.

In the end of the 14th Century there are references to the existence of a Jewish Community and its Jewry. There was a synagogue which is assumed to, without archaeological confirmation, have been located in the current number 10 of the “Misericórdia” street.
After the date of the expulsion decree (1496/7), the city became an important center of Marranism and New Christians.

Some of the major names in the history of jewish and portuguese medicine were born here. The Jews Amato Lusitano (1511-1568) and Elijah Montalto (1567- 1616), were two of the most relevant personalities of their time who most contributed to the scientific basis of medicine worldwide.
During the 16th, 17th and 18th Centuries were raised about 400 inquisition processes against naturals or residents of Castelo Branco, by the complaint of Judaism, which resulted in 14 deaths. Of these, stands out the process of Maria Gomes, 117 years old, the oldest inquisition victim known.

The House of Memory of Jewish Presence in Castelo Branco intends to tell the story of a community that contributed a lot to the development of the city in the sixteenth century, its memories and the legacy left here.

The visit begins in the store / reception. The Museological Circuit begins with the Torah, the most important element for the Jewish community. On this floor we find the history of the Jewish Castelo Branco community, its Jewish communities, their respective characteristics and some answers to questions that for centuries have remained unclear on the following themes:

In order to familiarize the visitor with Jewish culture, the House of Memory of Jewish Presence exposes a set of objects associated with the Life Cycle, Festivities and their Rituals:

At the transition between the two floors, there is the Memorial of the Albicastrenses (Castelo Branco) Victims of the Inquisition, in a total of 329 processes identified and studied, where the 21 mortal victims of the Inquisition in Castelo Branco are identified.

The first floor is a space entirely dedicated to the Albicastrenses: AMATO LUSITANO, MARIA GOMES, AFONSO DE PAIVA, ELIAS AND MOISÉS DE MONTALTO e MANOEL JOAQUIM HENRIQUES DE PAIVA.

On the 2nd floor there is a study and research area. All information and research on the Jewish subject is the responsibility of Arq. José Afonso, who coordinated the collection of content, the Professor Jorge Martins and the Teacher Antonieta Garcia.

PLACES TO VISIT:
-    Castle – Castelo
-    Jewish Quarter and marks – Bairro Judeu e Marcas
-    15th Century portals - Portais do século XV
-    Cargaleiro Museum – Museu Cargaleiro
-    Tavares Proença Júnior Museum – Museu Tavares Proença Júnior
-    Castelo Branco’s embroidery Workshop – school- Workshop - Escola de bordados de Castelo Branco
Palace garden - Jardim do Palácio

Address

Câmara Municipal De Castelo Branco

Morada:
   Praça Município
   6000-458 Castelo Branco

Tlf:  272 330 330

Fax:  272 330 324

Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Posto De Turismo

Morada: 
   Praça do Município
   6000 Castelo Branco

Tlf: 272 330 339

Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

______________________________________

Casa da Memória da Presença Judaica em Castelo Branco

Morada: 
   Rua das Olarias, N.º 43
   6000 Castelo Branco

Tlf: 272 323 033

Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tourism Office – Castelo Branco
Avenida Nuno Álvares, 30
6000-083 Castelo Branco
Telephone:272 330 339