Portugal's Forgotten Jewish Legacy: The Rise and Fall of the Lisbon Synagogue

This episode explores the little-known history of Portugal's Jewish community, from the golden age of the Lisbon synagogue to the forced conversions and the Inquisition's shadow. We uncover the story of the synagogue built in Lisbon in the 13th century, its role as a center of Jewish learning and commerce, and its eventual destruction after the 1497 decree that forcibly converted or expelled all Jews. We discuss the community's contributions to Portuguese society, the tragic events of 1506 when thousands of converted Jews were massacred in Lisbon, and the clandestine survival of crypto-Jewish traditions into the modern era. Through the lens of this lost synagogue, we examine how Portugal's treatment of its Jewish population shaped its empire and left a lasting cultural imprint. #JewishHistory #Lisbon #Synagogue #Inquisition #Expulsion #CryptoJews #ManuelI #1506Massacre #Talmud #Hebrew #Alfama #Rossio #Portugal #Sephardic #Medieval #History #FexingoHistory #EuropeanHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo