Toledo, Spain. Indoor view of Synagogue of Transito. It is a historic building famous for its rich stucco decoration.

@JJFarq/Shutterstock

Sinagoga del Tránsito

Top choice in Toledo


This magnificent synagogue was built in 1355 by special permission from Pedro I. The synagogue now houses the Museo Sefardí, which provides a glimpse into Sephardic culture in Spain. The vast main prayer hall has been expertly restored and the Mudéjar decoration and intricately carved pine ceiling are striking. Exhibits provide an insight into the history of Jewish culture in Spain, and include archaeological finds, a memorial garden, costumes and ceremonial artefacts.

Toledo's former judería (Jewish quarter) was once home to 10 synagogues and comprised some 10% of the walled city's area. After the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492, the synagogue was variously used as a church, hermitage and military barracks.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Toledo attractions

1. Museo Sefardí

0.01 MILES

Housed in the magnificent Sinagoga del Tránsito, this museum provides a rare and important glance into erstwhile Sephardic culture in Spain. Entry is…

2. Museo del Greco

0.05 MILES

In the early 20th century, an aristocrat bought what he thought was El Greco's house and did a meritorious job of returning it to period style. He was…

3. Iglesia de Santo Tomé

0.08 MILES

Iglesia de Santo Tomé contains El Greco’s most famous masterpiece El entierro del conde de Orgaz (The Burial of the Count of Orgaz), which is accessed by…

4. Sinagoga de Santa María La Blanca

0.09 MILES

The lesser of Toledo's two Mudéjar synagogues has five naves divided by rows of horseshoe and multifoil arches. Originally the upper arches opened onto…

5. Iglesia del Salvador

0.15 MILES

This little-visited but intriguing church exposes multiple historical layers in true Toledan fashion. Until 1159, it was a mosque; before that, a…

6. Monasterio San Juan de los Reyes

0.19 MILES

This imposing 15th-century Franciscan monastery and church was provocatively founded in the heart of the Jewish quarter by the Catholic monarchs Isabel…

8. Iglesia de los Jesuitas

0.24 MILES

The main reason to visit this church is not the building itself, but the opportunity to climb its tower (138 steps) for a quintessential view of medieval…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "spain/castilla-la-mancha/toledo/attractions/sinagoga-del-transito/a/poi-sig/1182708/360759",
      "destination": "Toledo",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Spain",
      "city": "Toledo",
      "position": "superzone"
    }