Museums and Palaces

House of Jewish History of Elvas

The House of Jewish History of Elvas pays tribute to the influential Jewish community of the town, and is located in a building that in the 16th century was transformed into the Municipal Butcher's Shop. Although there is no concrete evidence, it is believed that this space was part of the city's old synagogue. If so, this is the largest of those discovered to date in Portugal; the original one would occupy up to twice the space we see today. 

In the heart of the Old Jewish Quarter, the construction of a place to slaughter cattle, especially pigs, may have been intended to humiliate crypto-Jews and New Christians, making the space "impure".

Twelve columns are visible that may correspond to the Twelve Tribes of Israel; One of the adjoining houses has a small courtyard where steps from medieval times are still visible, a Manueline window and traces of a cistern, possibly the water point for women' purification rituals.

It is also possible to admire a permanent exhibition inside, about the history of some of the most famous Jewish families in the region.