Sinagoga de Santa María La Blanca

Santa Maria La Blanca is a beautiful monument with stunning whitewash walls and arches in Toledo Spain! Full of history as both a synagogue and later a church. Now its a historic monument not used for religious services. Its very quiet, peaceful, and affordable to visit (about 3 Euro or included with the Toledo Tourist Bracelet). One of my favorite stops in Toledo not only for its unique beauty but it slowed down the pace and wasn't as crazy busy as some in Spain. It is small and you dont need alot of time to visit to see it all. Maybe 20 minutes max. Definitely worth stopping in!

I suggest visiting this place with a guide that explains everything to you. Nice architecture and it's well preserved. Definitely worth visiting if interested.

I guess this is so-called mudejar style of architecture, right? I really love its purity and delicacy. It’s eye catching from every angle and everyone is slowing down their footsteps when entering. The ticket costs €4.

You will be disappointed if you are expecting to learn anything about the Jewish history of this building and it is more than a little bit anachronistic to call it a synagogue yet add the name of a Catholic saint. The building itself is quite beautiful and worth seeing but it’s a shame that they charge four euro admission and there is virtually no information about the rich history of the building. It’s also a little bit surprising to see a big crucifix in the main hall when you think you are going to a synagogue that is still described on all of the local signage as a synagogue. There is a lovely courtyard and a nice modern gift shop, but I would say you could easily be in and out of this whole thing in 20 minutes.

Very small destination. Beautiful structure. This is a quick stop in Toledo.

My husband and I visited this second-oldest synagogue in Europe on a Friday afternoon in mid-March. We only visited 4 of the Tourist Bracelet sites so we didn't buy the pass, just paid €4 per person at each. I've visited an active synagogue in Budapest (Dohány Street) on a guided tour of the Jewish Quarter so this was a bit of a let down. The site is pretty and quiet and the temple is lovely, but being old it is small. There is a bit of info in Spanish, but nothing in English. The gift shop is nice though also small and there are benches in the courtyard.

Learned a lot about Jewish culture in this sinagoga. Definitely recommend

A rich history and captivating architecture. As a synagogue turned church, one can appreciate the cultural significance of this site. Strong Moorish influence, horseshoe arches and geometric patterns, a real journey through time. It is a bit crowded but generally it is easily accessible.

The Synagogue of Santa Maria La Blanca was built in 1180. (Saint Mary the White) There is an inscription on a beam that confirms the date. It has five naves separated by pillars supporting horseshoe arches. It is one of three preserved synagogues constructed y Jews in a Moorish style under the rule of the Christian Kingdom of Castile. It was turned into a church in either 1495 or 1411 and is now owned by and maintained by the Catholic Church.

Founded in 1203, the Sinagoga de Santa Maria La Blanca in Toledo is nearly two centuries older than the more elaborate (and interesting) Tránsito Synagogue nearby. It has also been referred to as the Synagogue of "St. Mary the White". It was designed and decorated by Mudejar architects (defined as Moors working on Christian soil on non-Islamic buildings). The Islamic influence is readily apparent in the lovely horseshoe arches and other features. In the early 15th century, the synagogue was stormed by a Christian mob and converted into a Church. In subsequent centuries it was used variously as a carpenter's workshop, store, barracks, horse stables, and refuge for former prostitutes. Today, the Sinagoga de Santa Maria La Blanca is an evocative space and beautiful in its simplicity. Gayle and I wandered about and it was all very impressive architecturally. However, the Art Exhibit on the walls was a bit of a distraction, as was the good Sister supervising the building operation. There's also a nice gift shop (which is better than the one at the Tránsito Synagogue) in a separate building on the front side of the grounds.

No longer a religious building, this now-museum was built at a time of religious tolerance among the Big 3. It was a synagogue designed by a Muslim architect. Can you imagine? After the inquisition and expulsion of the Jews from Spain, it was consecrated as a church. So the building has an interesting mix of Islamic and Christian design. Can't tell at all that Judaism was once part of the mix.

The Sinogaga de Santa Maria is also one of the 3 main attractions at Toledo along with the cathedral and San Tomas Basilica. In Toledo, there is a peaceful coexistence of religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. The synagogue features Islamic influence of the religion. When you enter, you go through a clean yard and enter the synagogue full of white pillars and carvings. Along the beams, you will see many of the beautiful carvings and even hidden symbols left by the artisan. A good guide from those like Julia Travel will point this out when you walk through. Overall, unlike the cathedral, the synagogue is very modest and not as big of a touristic location in terms of photogenic opportunities. However, I still enjoyed seeing the differences among the religions and their ways of honoring Mary.

This is the oldest synagogue in Spain, and has the unique distinction of having been used as a mosque and a christian church throughout its timeline. Today, it is purely a museum used to represent Toledo's proud heritage of diversity and harmony among three religious peoples across its existence.