Jews of Coimbra: From Tolerance to Persecution, Memories and Materialities Exhibition

This exhibition explores the history of the Jewish communities that lived in the city of Coimbra from the Middle Ages onwards. It synthesizes archival documents, bibliographic research, and material findings to chart a narrative of both peaceful coexistence and eventual persecution.

The 'Jews of Coimbra' exhibition, housed in the historic Edifício da Inquisição, aims to rescue and restore the memory of the Jewish communities that once inhabited the urban territory of Coimbra. The exhibition relies on a robust foundation of investigative work, utilizing historical documentation and the interpretation of material traces recovered from the city's urban landscape to shed light on a history that has long remained obscured. The narrative begins with the earliest arrival of Jewish communities in the Iberian Peninsula and moves through periods of relative peacefulness alongside the Christian majority. Ultimately, the exhibition confronts the darker chapters of history, detailing the rise of religious intolerance, the prohibition of the faith, and the subsequent abandonment of the region, marking the end of a long cycle of Jewish presence in Portugal. The exhibition is designed to provide a contemplative space that honors these memories while providing a deeper understanding of Coimbra's complex heritage.

The exhibition is located at the Inquisição Building. It is open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday, 13:00 to 18:00, and closed on Sundays, Mondays, and holidays. Visitors are encouraged to explore additional digital content through the dedicated museum mobile app available for download.