Nestled in the mountainous landscapes of Portugal, the towns of Belmonte and Castelo de Vide hold some of the most significant yet hidden histories of Jewish life in the Iberian Peninsula. These towns became safe havens for Jewish families, especially after the Edict of Expulsion in 1496 forced Portugal’s Jewish population to convert to Christianity or leave the kingdom. This decree led to the emergence of “New Christians” or conversos — Jews who practiced their faith in secret to avoid persecution.
Today, Belmonte and Castelo de Vide are places where the legacy of these resilient communities is preserved. From historic synagogues to traditional Jewish customs that have been revived, both towns offer insights into the rich yet often painful journey of Portugal’s Jewish community. This article explores the history, culture, and enduring legacy of the Jewish heritage in Belmonte and Castelo de Vide.
Early Jewish Communities in Portugal
A. Jewish Arrival and Flourishing Communities
Jewish communities in Portugal date back to at least the Roman period, with Jewish people migrating across the Iberian Peninsula and settling in various regions, including present-day Belmonte and Castelo de Vide. During the medieval period, Jewish communities flourished under Portugal’s relatively tolerant policies, with Jews contributing significantly to the country's cultural and economic life. They engaged in professions such as medicine, astronomy, commerce, and the arts. Portugal's kings, particularly King Afonso I and King Dinis, extended protection and privileges to the Jewish population, seeing them as valuable citizens whose skills supported Portugal’s growth.
B. Changing Fortunes and Persecution
The favorable climate for Jews in Portugal began to shift towards the end of the 15th century, influenced by the Catholic Church's desire for religious uniformity and political pressures from neighboring Spain. Following the Spanish Edict of Expulsion in 1492, Spain’s Jewish refugees sought shelter in Portugal, leading to an influx that stirred political and religious tensions. King Manuel I initially allowed them to enter but, facing pressure to align with the Catholic Spanish monarchy, he issued the Edict of Expulsion in 1496. All Jews in Portugal were given the choice to either convert to Christianity or leave the country, and those who stayed were forced into conversion under duress.
Many Jewish families complied outwardly, becoming conversos, or New Christians, while secretly preserving their Jewish identity and practices. Belmonte and Castelo de Vide, with their remote locations and tightly knit communities, became sanctuaries where crypto-Judaism — the secret practice of Jewish rituals and beliefs — was sustained.
The Crypto-Jewish Communities of Belmonte and Castelo de Vide
A. Belmonte: A Hidden Stronghold of Crypto-Judaism
The town of Belmonte is perhaps the most famous center of crypto-Judaism in Portugal. Known as the “Secret Jews of Belmonte,” this community maintained their faith in strict secrecy for over four centuries. Following forced conversions, the Jews of Belmonte observed Jewish traditions behind closed doors, using clandestine methods to preserve their beliefs. They held prayers in private homes, abstained from certain foods, and kept Shabbat without drawing suspicion from neighbors or authorities.
What makes Belmonte’s crypto-Jewish community unique is the extraordinary degree to which they retained their identity. Unlike other converso communities, which often assimilated over time, the Jews of Belmonte married within their group and passed down Jewish practices orally to avoid leaving written records that could be used against them. The community’s survival into the 20th century as practicing Jews, albeit in secret, is a testament to their dedication and resilience.
In the early 20th century, Samuel Schwarz, a Jewish engineer of Polish descent, rediscovered Belmonte’s crypto-Jewish community. Schwarz, moved by their preservation of Jewish rituals, worked to connect them with the global Jewish community. Eventually, the Belmonte Jews reestablished themselves openly, building a synagogue in 1996 and reclaiming their Jewish heritage publicly.
B. Castelo de Vide: Jewish Heritage in the “Sintra of Alentejo”
Known as the “Sintra of Alentejo” for its picturesque beauty, Castelo de Vide is also home to a significant legacy of Jewish life. The town’s Jewish quarter, or Judiaria, is one of the best-preserved in Portugal, featuring narrow cobblestone streets, medieval houses, and structures that reflect centuries of Jewish history. Castelo de Vide’s community was also affected by the 1496 expulsion decree, and many of its Jewish residents became New Christians, secretly preserving their faith.
One of the most remarkable historical landmarks in Castelo de Vide is its Jewish quarter and medieval synagogue, believed to date back to the 13th or 14th century. The synagogue, although repurposed over the centuries, still retains elements of its original structure and has been transformed into a museum. The museum features artifacts and documents that tell the story of the Jewish community’s heritage in Castelo de Vide, including manuscripts, religious items, and historical records of persecution and resilience.
Similar to Belmonte, the crypto-Jewish community in Castelo de Vide kept their practices alive by observing Jewish customs in secrecy. They marked Shabbat, practiced dietary laws, and celebrated Jewish holidays without openly identifying as Jews. Oral traditions played a crucial role in preserving this knowledge, as families quietly passed down their beliefs from one generation to the next.
Revival and Preservation of Jewish Heritage
A. Rediscovery and Renewal of Jewish Life in Belmonte
In the modern era, the rediscovery of Belmonte’s crypto-Jewish community led to a remarkable revival of Jewish life. With the establishment of a formal synagogue in 1996 and the construction of a Jewish museum, Belmonte’s Jewish community reconnected with Judaism in a public way for the first time in centuries. The community also established a kosher butcher and now celebrates Jewish holidays openly, inviting Jews from around the world to visit and learn about their unique history.
The Jewish Museum of Belmonte, opened in 2005, plays an essential role in educating visitors about the town’s crypto-Jewish heritage. It houses artifacts, historical documents, and exhibits that illustrate the journey of Belmonte’s Jewish community, from forced conversion to clandestine practice and, finally, to open celebration of their faith.
B. Preservation Efforts in Castelo de Vide
In Castelo de Vide, the restoration of the old synagogue and the preservation of the Jewish quarter have become symbols of the town’s commitment to honoring its Jewish heritage. The synagogue’s transformation into a museum has helped to raise awareness of the Jewish experience in Portugal, attracting both local and international visitors interested in the legacy of crypto-Judaism.
Local historians and preservationists have also worked to maintain the historical integrity of the Jewish quarter, preserving its unique architecture and ensuring that the stories of the Jewish families who lived there are not forgotten. Educational programs and cultural events, such as Jewish heritage tours and annual commemorations, keep the memory of Castelo de Vide’s Jewish community alive.
The Legacy of Crypto-Judaism in Portugal
The legacy of crypto-Judaism in Portugal, as seen in Belmonte and Castelo de Vide, is one of resilience, faith, and cultural endurance. These communities, though separated from the global Jewish community for centuries, remained faithful to their identity under difficult circumstances. Their survival and revival serve as reminders of the strength of cultural and religious heritage in the face of persecution.
The stories of Belmonte and Castelo de Vide also contribute to a broader understanding of the Sephardic Jewish experience in the Iberian Peninsula, a history marked by waves of tolerance, prosperity, persecution, and resilience. Today, Portugal recognizes its Jewish heritage as an integral part of its national identity, and the government has implemented measures to honor the contributions of Portuguese Jews, including the 2015 law granting citizenship to descendants of expelled Sephardic Jews.
A Testament to Faith and Resilience
The Jewish heritage of Belmonte and Castelo de Vide is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the strength of faith. For centuries, these communities upheld their religious traditions in secret, ensuring that their identity would survive despite tremendous adversity. Today, the open celebration of Jewish heritage in these towns honors the memory of those who kept their faith alive under the shadow of persecution. Belmonte and Castelo de Vide stand not only as historical sites but also as symbols of perseverance, where visitors can witness a legacy of devotion that has shaped the cultural fabric of Portugal.