Abrão Zacuto Synagogue and Portuguese-Hebrew Museum, Tomar

Don’t miss visiting the Abrão Zacuto Synagogue and Portuguese-Hebrew while in Tomar, Portugal.

Abrão Zacuto Synagogue © C.M. Tomar

This is the best preserved medieval synagogue in Portugal, and it’s located in a old cobblestoned street in the beautiful city of Tomar.

This synagogue was built between 1430 and 1460. However, it was in use only for some years, since, in 1496, King Manuel I ordered the Jews in Tomar to convert or flee the city, most doing the later.

Subsequently, the building was used as prison, chapel, and warehouse until 1921, when it was registered as National Monument. This was, in part, thank to the efforts by Luís Vasco, which belonged to one of the last two Jewish families of Tomar.

This simple and small building has a square shape and vaults supported by four columns. It was restored to its current appearance in the 15th century. It’s name is owed to the Jewish mathematician and astrologist Abraão Zacuto, who helped Vasco de Gama in planning his trips.

Inside the museum, you will find several stones engraved in hebrew dating back between the 13th and 19th centuries. There is also a block of pink limestone from the Great Synagogue of Lisbon from 1307. Its walls are decorated with gifts and donations by international Jewish visitors.

The boxes on top of the walls were used as a way of improving the acoustics of the room.

More information:

Location:

Rua Joaquim Jacinto, 73, Tomar, Portugal.

Ticket price:

Free admission.

Opening hours:

Octobre through April, from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00.
May through September, from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00.

Closed on bank holidays, Easter Sunday, December 25, and January 1.

Telephone:

(+351) 249 329 823.

Recommended Excursions:

Mapa Interactivo:

Other worth-visiting nearby towns and cities:

Why "Portugal Travel"?

Portugal Travel is an organization of Portuguese agencies whose objectives are:

✓ To make Portugal, its culture and its heritage known.
✓ To promote sustainable tourism.

In collaboration with:

Escola Superior de Hotelaria e Turismo do Estoril

Turismo de Portugal