Hervás Historical Site

Sephardic past

Hervás is a town set in a privileged environment in the Ambroz Valley.
Its origins go back to the 12th century. As with other towns in the province, the fact that the Silver Route runs through the municipal boundaries means it has always been in contact with other peoples and cultures.
The Knights Templar erected a castle in Hervás during the Reconquest. Hervás belonged to Béjar, and both depended on the estate of the Zúñiga family, the Dukes of Béjar, until King Ferdinand VII declared Hervás a free town in 1816.

One highlight of Hervás is its Jewish Quarter. The Jewish population who lived in Hervás before the Edict of Expulsion was issued by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492, comprised 45 families and did not form a self-governing community.

Like all Jewish quarters, it is situated on the outskirts of the town centre, in the most uneven area of the town. The houses are fairly tall, with two or three storeys and the upper stories projecting. The characteristic building elements of the Jewish Quarter are the timber framing, usually made of chestnut, brickwork and rammed earth, together with the tiles or sideways planks.

The neighbourhood grew up on a layout of winding streets, some unbelievably narrow, but full of charm. It extends from La Plaza, a meeting place for Christians and Jews, to the River Ambroz and Fuente Chiquita fountain. The Jewish legacy still remains with street names such as Sinagoga (‘synagogue’), Rabilero (from ‘rabbi’) and Cofradía (‘brotherhood’). Although the synagogue no longer exists, according to oral tradition it stood at number 19 Calle Rabilero.

Every summer, Hervás’ Jewish Quarter turns into the stage for the ‘Los Conversos’ festival, featuring the participation of the entire town, where visitors can learn more about the Sephardic culture and gastronomy that once played a key role in the municipality.

In 1969 the Jewish Quarter of Hervás was declared a Historical-Artistic Site.

Weather

Hervás

7Jul

Despejado

19 ºC

34 ºC

8Jul

Despejado

17 ºC

34 ºC

9Jul

Despejado

20 ºC

33 ºC

10Jul

Despejado

20 ºC

32 ºC

11Jul

Poco nuboso

18 ºC

31 ºC

12Jul

Intervalos nubosos

14 ºC

27 ºC

Play

In pictures

AltAltAltAltAltAltAltAltAltAltAltAltAltAltAltAltAltAlt

If you like Hervás Historical Site you will like this too...

Alt

Roman ruins of Cáparra

One highlight of the province of Cáceres is the numerous traces of its Roman-age splendour.

Alt

Valencia de Alcántara Historical Site

Valencia de Alcántara is a town in the county of Sierra de San Pedro.

Alt

Old Town of Cáceres

The decree declaring Cáceres as a Monumental Site was published on 21 January 1949, and in 1986 UNESCO included the Old Town of Cáceres in its list

Alt

Garganta la Olla Historical Site

The municipality of Garganta la Olla is in the county of La Vera.

More things you can find in Valle de Ambroz

Servicios turisticos

On Instagram...