Exploring Portugal's Jewish History And Heritage

Set in the hilly northeast of Alentejo region of Portugal, Castelo de Vide is a historic town rich in monuments, offering a glimpse into Portugal’s Jewish heritage. Among its many historical treasures, the large Jewish quarter (Judiaria) and medieval synagogue stand as a rare testament to a once thriving Jewish community that played a central role in the town’s development for centuries. This community not only contributed to the town's social and economic life but also left behind a rich legacy that visitors can still explore today.

Nestled in the stunning landscape of the Serra de São Mamede, the picturesque town of Castelo de Vide is a treasure trove of history, culture, and architectural beauty. Dominated by its iconic castle, the town’s whitewashed houses and narrow, winding streets invite visitors to step back in time and explore its many layers of heritage.

A TOWN OF WALLS AND MONUMENTS

Castelo de Vide boasts a remarkable collection of historical monuments, including 24 churches that reflect the town’s spiritual and architectural richness. Among them is the Capela do Salvador do Mundo, one of the oldest chapels in the region, dating back to the late 13th century. Its interior is adorned with exquisite blue-and-white azulejos, showcasing Portugal’s distinctive ceramic art. Another notable church is the Capela de São Roque, originally built in the 15th century and later rebuilt in the 18th century, blending Gothic and Baroque elements. And, true to its name, the town has a large castle, and mostly in track town walls.

A FLOURISHING JEWISH COMMUNITY

During the Middle Ages, Castelo de Vide was home to a significant Jewish population that grew even larger after 1492, when the Edict of Expulsion forced Spanish Jews to seek refuge in neighboring Portugal. The Jewish community was an integral part of the town's economy and culture, engaging in commerce, crafts, and skilled trades that supported the burgeoning wool industry—a cornerstone of Castelo de Vide's economy. Jewish artisans were known for their expertise in weaving, dyeing, and producing high-quality woolen goods. Their skills not only supplied local markets but also contributed to the export trade, making Castelo de Vide a hub of activity in the region. Many Jews also worked as merchants, facilitating trade between Castelo de Vide and neighboring towns. Others served as doctors, bringing medical knowledge and care to the community, and enhancing the town’s reputation as a place of learning and innovation.

THE JUDIARIA: A WINDOW INTO JEWISH HERITAGE

Jews have a long and significant history in Portugal, dating back to Roman times. By the Middle Ages, Jewish communities were thriving across the country. Portuguese kings, including D Dinis and D. João II, often protected Jewish populations for their valuable contributions to the economy and society.

However, this era of prosperity took a dark turn in 1497, when King D. Manuel I, under pressure to align with Spain, issued the Edict of Expulsion. This decree forced Jews to convert to Christianity or leave the country. Many chose conversion, becoming "New Christians," but they often faced suspicion and persecution, particularly during the Portuguese Inquisition, which began in 1536. Secretly practicing Jews, known as "crypto-Jews," risked severe punishment if discovered.

Despite this history of hardship, the resilience of Portuguese Jews is evident. Today, Jewish heritage sites, including synagogues and Jewish quarters in towns like Castelo de Vide stand as a testament to their enduring legacy.

On the northern slope of Castelo de Vide, between the castle and the town fountain, lies the Judiaria (Jewish Quarter), one of the most significant examples of Jewish history in Portugal. Its narrow, steep streets—Rua da Judiaria, Rua da Fonte, and Ruinha da Judiaria—were once a vibrant hub of activity. This area dates back to the reign of King Dinis in the 13th century and remains one of the best-preserved Jewish quarters in the country. Here, Jewish residents lived, worked, and practiced their faith, contributing to the town's economic vitality and cultural richness.

Visitors to the Judiaria today can see clues to this thriving past, such as doorposts with marks where mezuzahs—small parchment scrolls inscribed with sacred texts—once symbolized the residents' faith. The names of these streets still evoke the memory of the Jewish community that once called this area home.

Efforts to restore and revitalize the area have highlighted its historical importance, ensuring that its unique charm and cultural significance endure. Visitors can explore the medieval synagogue and other historical structures that tell the story of a once-thriving Jewish community, making Castelo de Vide a must-visit destination for those interested in Jewish history.

THE MEDIEVAL SYNAGOGUE: BEIT HA-MIDRASH SEFARDIM

At the heart of Castelo de Vide’s Jewish quarter is the medieval synagogue, known as Beit Ha-Midrash Sefardim, located at Rua da Judiaria and Rua da Fonte. This simple yet profoundly meaningful structure served as the center of religious and communal life for centuries.

The former synagogue reflects Sephardic traditions and features a tabernacle with holes for lamps filled with sacred oil, a support for the Holy Scriptures adorned with seven spheres symbolizing the six days of creation and the day of rest, and Gothic-style doors with intricate designs.

The medieval synagogue was restored in 1972 to reflect its original design, and recently completely renovated into a museum of Jewish life 500 years ago.

THE DARK CHAPTER OF THE INQUISITION

The prosperity of Castelo de Vide’s Jewish community came to a tragic end with the establishment of the Portuguese Inquisition in the 16th century. Many Jews were forced to convert to Christianity, becoming "New Christians,” while others faced persecution, imprisonment, and death.

The new Casa da Inquisição museum, set in the historic Casa do Morgado, offers a window into this dark period. Using augmented reality, visitors can immerse themselves in the history of the Inquisition, following the stages of inquisitorial processes and learning about the fate of individuals like Guiomar Mendes, a New Christian from Castelo de Vide who was arrested by the Lisbon Inquisition in 1662.The house itself belonged to a Jewish family which continue to secretly practice Judaism - with a hidden worship area and a false chapel to fool the neighbors.

A LEGACY OF RESILIENCE AND CONTRIBUTION

Castelo de Vide’s Jewish community left an indelible mark on the town’s identity. Through their roles as artisans, merchants, doctors, and religious leaders, they contributed to the town’s growth and prosperity. Walking through the former Judiaria, exploring the synagogue, and visiting the Casa da Inquisição offers a powerful journey into the struggles and strength of the once thriving community.

By Jayme Simoes

TAP Air Portugal Just Added 3 New U.S. Flights, Including A New Route To The Azores, The "Hawaii Of Europe".

The Portuguese carrier has unveiled a fresh lineup of new flights from major U.S. gateways to dreamy destinations throughout the country, including hopping cities like Lisbon and Porto and a beautiful island escape.

The Azores island of Terceira is known for its extensive network of lava caves, ocean pools, and Angra do Heroísmo, the historic capital.Photo by Foto-Jagla.de/Shutterstock

Travelers in Northern California are about to get a nonstop flight to the Azores, a lesser-visited Portuguese island paradise. This offbeat routing is one of a trio of seasonal routes that TAP Air Portugal is launching for the summer of 2025, which will also include flights from its newest U.S. gateway, Los Angeles.

The Azores, a rocky archipelago in the Atlantic some 850 miles off the coast of Portugal, has gained traction among travelers in recent years for its unspoiled beauty, eco-friendly hotels, fine wines, and farm-to-table cuisine.

It already has some nonstop service from the United States, mainly from East Coast gateways like New York and Boston. But this will be the first time TAP Air Portugal is offering a direct flight from the West Coast to the Azores.

From June 3 through August 26, 2025, the new flight will operate once a week—every Tuesday—from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Terceira’s Lajes Airport (TER) as a stop on a flight that will continue to Lisbon. On other days of the week (with frequencies varying by season), TAP flies nonstop between SFO and Lisbon year-round.

The Azores island of Terceira is known for its extensive network of lava caves that travelers can explore, natural ocean pools, and its main port town, Angra do Heroísmo, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for its critical role in maritime history. Most other flights to the Azores land at the main international airport in Ponta Delgado, on the island of São Miguel. And while tourism will drive some of the demand, the new route will also serve a sizable Azorean community in Northern California, a TAP official told Afar.

In Biscoitos on the island of Terceira, you can swim in natural ocean pools created by volcanic rocks.Photo by Liliana Marmelo/Shutterstock

Two additional new routes from TAP Air Portugal

TAP also announced two additional new summer 2025 routes: a new nonstop flight between Los Angeles and Lisbon and a new nonstop from Boston to Porto. On both routes, TAP will be the only carrier offering nonstop service.

At Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which TAP served briefly in 1989–1990, the carrier will start with three flights a week on May 16, 2025, increasing to four times weekly by May 25. Introductory fares—available from now until December 17—start at $679 round trip to Portugal and from $599 to other points in Europe. The seasonal L.A. service will end on October 25, 2025.

Flights will be aboard a wide-body Airbus A330-900 neo. The planes have 34 business-class seats and 96 “comfort seats” with more legroom that standard coach seats—a welcome feature on a flight that will last nearly 13 hours (westbound). The same plane already operates on existing San Francisco flights.

The Portuguese carrier will start nonstop flights from Boston to Porto, northern Portugal’s gateway to the Douro Valley wine region, with four flights a week on May 14, 2025, also through October 25. Flights will be aboard narrow-body Airbus A321 LRs. Introductory fares start at $529 round trip, if purchased by December 17, 2024.

TAP currently flies from seven U.S. gateways: New York, Newark, Boston, Miami, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Chicago. And the airline is also known for its generous stopover program that allows travelers to spend time in Lisbon and Porto at a steal, before continuing on to destinations throughout Europe and beyond.

https://www.afar.com/authors/barbara-peterson

If You Were Thinking About Moving To Portugal, It Just Got A Whole Lot More Expensive

Portugal has long ranked high on the list for Americans looking to move abroad because of its affordability.

With its golden visa, favorable tax incentives for foreigners, and low housing costs, it became a major destination for global movers during the pandemic. But come 2024, it will be significantly more expensive to live there if you're coming from another country.

"We already have clients that are looking to reconsider their plans" to move, Alex Ingrim, a private wealth manager at Chase Buchanan, told Insider.

António Costa, the prime minister of Portugal, announced that the country is scrapping its non-habitual resident tax regime (NHR), a popular tool used by foreigners to cut down on expenses. Now those moving to Portugal in 2024 and beyond will have to pay the same amount of income tax as everyone else, Le Monde reported.

NHR was introduced in 2009, after the Global Financial Crisis, to attract foreign talent and wealth to the country. Currently foreigners who are accepted into the program had income taxed at a flat rate of 20%, while retirees had pension taxes at 10%, according to Portugal.com.

"It made Portugal a really attractive jurisdiction to work or to retire," Ingrim said. Foreigners "were also tax exempt on capital gains on property transactions abroad or rental income that was generated abroad, so it had all of these different advantages to it."

Now, "I think it's caused a lot of people to reconsider why they were moving to Portugal if it's not going to be as easy as they first thought," Ingrim said.

Close to 10,000 Americans were living in Portugal in 2022, according to data from the Portuguese government, as reported by The New York Times — an increase of 239% since 2017. As foreign wealth moved into the country, the cost of living skyrocketed. Now, trying to walk back the success of the programs the country put in place to stoke the economy, it's changing one of the biggest points of attraction: the savings.

Those advantages will be wiped away for new foreign residents in 2024. For Portuguese residents, taxes range from 14.5% to 48% depending on what you earn — the highest band is for earners bringing in 75,010 euros (or $79,647) a year or more, according to investment migration firm Global Citizen Solutions.

"You can see that there's a huge difference between having a 10% flat tax on a social security account or potentially paying something like 35%, 45%, 48% on your income in retirement," Ingrim said.

Americans already living in Portugal, like Dan Bagby and his wife, Michelle, who moved to Lisbon from Texas in 2021, won't be immediately affected.

Once accepted, NHR's perks last for 10 years. Bagby is working on Portuguese citizenship and told Insider that once his status changes, his taxes still won't until 2031.

"In the short term, it really doesn't change anything for me," Bagby told Insider. "We've got about seven more years left. I'm not really worried about it right now."

The sudden arrival of Americans and other foreigners pushed the country's real-estate market to new highs. House prices increased 157% from 2020 to 2021, according to Eurostat, the European Union's statistics agency. And rents rose 112% from 2015 to 2021, the Associated Press reported.

In February the country announced an end to its popular "golden visa" program, which allowed investors to obtain residency permits in exchange for purchasing residential real estate worth at least 500,000 euros.

Ending NHR is anticipated to help correct the housing market by making foreign buyers pay their fair share in taxes. But with the cost of living going up and reaching levels of parity with other countries, foreigners may not move to Portugal at all.

"It's causing people to take a step back and go, 'Okay, Portugal was the easy answer and now there's no other easy answer out there. France, Italy or Spain might be back on the table,'" Ingrim said.

Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/author/jordan-pandy

Portuguese Airports See Record Passenger Numbers As Tourists Return

Passenger traffic at Portuguese airports in the first four months of the year exceeded pre-pandemic levels, boosted by booming tourism, official data showed on Wednesday.

The National Statistics Institute, or INE, said that 5.9 million passengers transited through Portuguese airports in April, 11% more than in the same month of 2019 and 19% more than in April 2022.

In the first four months of the year, the number of passengers reached a record 18.7 million, 14% more than in the same period in 2019 and 41% more than in the first four months of last year.

Airport passenger traffic in Europe as a whole has still to recover to levels seen before the pandemic grounded air travel in early 2020, Airports Council International (ACI) Europe said recently.

Airports in countries like Spain and Portugal that rely heavily on tourism have outperformed ones in Germany, France and Britain where there was a higher share of business travel.

Lisbon's airport, one of 10 main terminals in the country operated by France's Vinci (SGEF.PA), handled 53% of the passengers, or around 10 million people.

Monthly passenger numbers in 2023 "have always been higher than pre-pandemic levels", INE said.

Passengers mainly came from France, the United Kingdom and Spain, as was the case before the pandemic.

Tourism, a key driver of Portugal's economy, accounted for almost 15% of gross domestic product before the pandemic and has boomed again since the beginning of this year.

In a separate document, INE said the number of foreign tourists visiting Portugal in the first four months of the year surpassed 4.5 million, 44% more than a year ago.

Tourists also spent more money. The average price per room per night in April was 105.4 euros, about 30% more than in the same month of 2019 and 15% more than a year ago.

Reporting by Sergio Goncalves and João Manuel Vicente Maurício, editing by Inti Landauro, Kirsten Donovan

Pent-Up Demand Promises Record Tourist Season For Southern Europe

After three years of pandemic travel restrictions and rocketing energy costs, tourism is back with a vengeance to boost the economies of southern Europe as sun-seekers make up for lost time.

Early bookings suggest Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal could receive record tourism revenues this year, helping replenish state coffers depleted by rising debt interest payments and the cost of living crisis.

What's more, there appears to be growing demand for the luxury end of the spectrum.

"Today in Italy, we have this boom in terms of tourism that is unbelievable," Carlo Messina, CEO of Italy's biggest bank Intesa SanPaolo told investment analysts in a call.

"It is impossible to find a place in a 5-star hotel if you want to make a vacation."

Tourism is vital to southern Europe's economies.

The travel industry was worth 100 billion euros ($110.08 billion) or 6.2% of Italian output in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic brought the sector into its knees. Add the wider income generated by tourist-related business and the figure more than doubles to 13%.

In Greece, tourism accounts for no less than one-fifth of gross domestic product.

The number of foreign tourists visiting Italy was up 70.5% in the first two months of the year compared to the same period in 2022, according to the national statistics agency. It added that if the trend continues, Italy could match or surpass pre-pandemic levels.

In April, Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias said summer bookings already pointed to a new record.

Portugal registered more than 2.8 million of foreign visitors from January to March, the best first quarter on record, according to official data.

In Spain, the flow of international tourists in the first quarter increased by 41.2% over the same period in 2022 and exceeded 13.7 million visitors, albeit still 3.5% below the same quarter in 2019.

The tourist industry is already benefiting. Airlines such as Lufthansa, easyJet and Ryanair have confirmed robust summer bookings while Ryanair, in anticipation of strong demand, has just ordered 150 new 737 Max-10s and optioned another 150.
German travel firm TUI expects strong revenue and higher profit in 2023. Italian travel and tourism company Alpitour forecasts turnover 30% higher this year.

"We already see a very strong demand to book Christmas holidays in 2023. We do 30 to 35,000 quotations a day, numbers never seen before," Alpitour CEO Gabriele Burgio said.

Against a background of stubbornly high inflation and interest rate hikes from the European Central Bank, the tourism boom could not come at a better time.

While manufacturers are seeing demand declining, in Italy and Spain the service sectors grew respectively for the fourth and sixth month running in April driven also by tourism, HCOB Global's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) showed.

Fitch cited the "strong rebound" in tourism last week as it maintained its credit rating on Italy.

Portugal's central bank meanwhile raised its 2023 economic growth forecast to 1.8% from 1.5% mainly due to expected "favourable developments" in the tourism sector and despite a near-stagnation in private consumption expected this year.

The Bank of Greece predicts the local economy will grow by 2.2% in 2023 - far above the euro area average - backed by the "favourable" tourism outlook.

The boost in tourism comes despite headwinds ranging from strikes that have disrupted travel to concern about extreme weather events, such as last year's heat-wave in southwest Europe and the current flooding in parts of Italy.

"Travel is the only discretionary expense people are prepared to maintain or increase," easyJet CEO Johan Lundgren said last month.

Consumers who had little choice but to buy goods rather than services during the pandemic are now keen to catch up on lost time, some in the industry say.

"There seems to be a significant shift in consumer behaviour, with holidays taking centre stage in consumption priorities, surpassing traditional purchases such as cars, mobile phones and watches," Alpitour’s Burgio told a hotel trade event in Milan.

As China lifts restrictions on travel, some 6 million Chinese tourists are expected to head to Europe by the end of the year, according to projections by the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute released by the European Travel Commission.

Moreover, Italian tourist agency ENIT is confident that a new, younger profile of Chinese tourist is emerging who wants "in-depth travel experiences" that go beyond the quick tour of urban cultural centres.

"The Chinese are now looking at previously overlooked destinations such as Sicily, the Cinque Terre (Italian Riviera) and seaside destinations that were previously neglected," it said.

($1 = 0.9084 euros)

By Giselda Vagnoni

Évora Has Been Named The European Capital Of Culture 2027

Évora, the main city of Portugal’s Alentejo, has been named the European Capital of Culture 2027. As a result, Évora will offer a series of cultural events for the year of 2027. The award is based on a criteria of cultural and artistic content to be presented and the participation of the local population in the project. The European Capital of Culture is an initiative that focuses on the creative economy at the heart of European cities with EU support for a yearlong celebration of the arts and culture.

Évora’s concept for the European Capital of Culture year is based on “Vagar," the philosophy of enjoying life with a “slow living” approach.

Évora’s historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. The city, which has 50,000 inhabitants, will receive twenty-nine million euros to carry out new programming, revitalization and cultural aspects of the 2027 project.

This is a unique opportunity for Évora and its surrounding towns to bring culture and European ties to the heart of the communities.

“This is the moment we've been waiting for. It is an opportunity for Évora, and the Alentejo, but also for Europe and the world,” said Carlos Pinto de Sá, Mayor of Évora. “We are aware of the responsibility that lies ahead. This is the result of a collective process, built from our sense of identity, to reconnect Alentejo to Europe and the world.”

Évora sits inside its medieval walls, and has a culture and vibe all its own. A true city-museum, the walled city is practically unchanged with a wealth of history and culture as well as food and wineries. Évora boasts vestiges of the Roman period, the Arab rule, medieval buildings, palaces and convents that are highlights from the Portuguese Golden Age.

The religious importance in the city of Évora is found in its many convents and churches including the Colégio do Espírito Santo, now the University of Évora, founded by the Jesuits.

It is a very walkable city, with rich architecture and immaculate whitewashed houses in the narrow streets and alleys. Being so diversified, the richness of Évora in terms of culture and heritage makes this the ideal place to visit and spend time.

After Lisbon in 1994, Porto in 2001 and Guimarães in 2012, Évora will be the fourth city in Portugal to be a European Capital of Culture.

Starting in 1985, European Capitals of Culture have developed into one of the most ambitious cultural projects in Europe and one of the EU's most appreciated activities.

The goals of this initiative are to provide opportunities to learn more about each other's cultures, to share history and values, and to experience the feeling of belonging to the greater European community.

Portugal's Alentejo is a sustainable destination, with its cork forests, long protected Atlantic coast, and vast blue skies.

Just an hour from Lisbon, the Alentejo has no big cities but is made up of fortified hill towns featuring traditional crafts and foods. Making up 30% of Portugal, the region has flowing vineyards and olive oil groves with a mild climate. Guests enjoy the traditional cuisine and distinct local olive oils, bold wines as well as hiking or cycling the rolling cork plains, natural reserves and more than 85 miles of Atlantic coastline.

For more details, please visit: https://www.visitalentejo.pt/en/