Museums and Palaces

Jewish Presence Memorial House

The Jewish Presence Memorial House honours and tells the story of a community that greatly contributed to the development of Castelo Branco in the Middle Ages and Modern Age, its memories and legacy.

The visit starts with the Torah, the most important element for a Jewish community. It is followed by the history of the Jewish community of Castelo Branco, its Jewish Quarter and respective characteristics and answers to questions that have remained unclear for centuries.

In the transition between the ground floor and the first floor, there is the Memorial to the Castelo Branco Victims of the Inquisition, in a total of 329 identified and studied files, where the 21 deadly victims of the Inquisition in Castelo Branco are identified. The first floor is a space entirely dedicated to the Jewish figures from Castelo Branco: Amato Lusitano, Maria Gomes, Afonso de Paiva, Elias and Moisés Montalto and Manoel Joaquim Henriques de Paiva.

The second floor has a study and research area, where it is possible to consult all kinds of material related to the study of the Jewish theme. The Memorial House also exhibits a range of objects, mostly associated with Jewish festivities and rituals, and has a shop where you can find related publications and Kosher products.