Synagogue found behind false wall

[emad]

Syna

Giles Tremlett and Associated Press in Porto
Tuesday January 10, 2006
The Guardian


A 16th-century synagogue has been uncovered in the city of Porto, northern Portugal, after builders tore down walls in a building in the city's historic centre.

The synagogue, built when Jews could be burned at the stake for worshipping, was hidden behind a false wall in a four-storey building on a side street in what was once Porto's Jewish quarter.

The synagogue was discovered by a Catholic priest, Father Jardim Moreira, who was in charge of turning the building into an old people's home. Fr Moreira, a keen local historian who knew the neighbourhood had been the city's Jewish quarter in the 15th century, was told by builders about the false wall. "I knew there had to be some kind of Jewish symbol behind it," he told Associated Press.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,2763,1682987,00.html

[Cocoa]

1. neat

I have to get to Europe some day, it sounds like a cool place.

[wake.up.america]

2. Any questions about southern Spain , Austria, or southern Germany?

Check out the travel forum on DU as well.

[rodeodance]

3. our 'American' mind has difficulty contemplately the 1600's and all its

history. we sometimes wonder why the French--or Jewish people-or others act as they do. They have a long history. ours starts in the later 1600's

[bigtree]

4. From the time of the The Spanish Inquisition?

wow. Refuge for fleeing Jews. Must have some artifacts.

[applegrove]

5. Very interesting. Sad too.