Beth Yaacov Synagogue

Beth Yaacov Synagogue stands as the main synagogue of Madrid, located at 3 Calle Balmes in the elegant Chamberí district near the heart of the Spanish capital. Also known as the Beth Jacob Synagogue or simply the Synagogue of Madrid, it serves as the religious and communal center for the city's Jewish community.

Why does this site matter historically?

The building opened its doors in 1968, marking a milestone in Spain's modern history: it was the first newly built synagogue in the country since the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, ordered the expulsion of Spain's Jews in 1492. That gap spans 476 years — nearly five centuries during which no new synagogue building was raised on Spanish soil. Its opening reflects the re-establishment of organized Jewish religious life in Madrid during the second half of the twentieth century, making it a landmark in the long and complicated relationship between Spain and its Jewish heritage.

How do you get there?

The synagogue sits in Chamberí, one of central Madrid's most distinguished neighborhoods, largely built up during the nineteenth-century Ensanche expansion with wide avenues and refined apartment facades. It's a quiet, primarily residential area, just a short walk from the city center and Plaza de Alonso Martínez. The exact coordinates, 40.435353, -3.699906, make it easy to locate with any mapping app.

What should you know before visiting?

Because this is an active place of worship and the central synagogue of Madrid's Jewish community rather than a tourist attraction, outside visitors typically need to arrange access in advance and present identification — standard security practice at working synagogues across Europe. Plan ahead rather than expecting to drop in unannounced. The surrounding Chamberí neighborhood rewards a longer stroll on its own merits: a low-key district of cafés and local shops, well away from the crowds of Puerta del Sol or Gran Vía.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Chamberí offers a side of Madrid rarely seen along the main tourist routes. Wide, calm streets, eclectic turn-of-the-century architecture, and small neighborhood squares make it a pleasant place to wander before or after visiting the synagogue. It's also a good opportunity to experience an authentic, lived-in residential quarter of the city rather than its more crowded historic core.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit Beth Yaacov Synagogue like a regular tourist site? Not exactly — it's an active synagogue and community center rather than a museum, so visits usually require advance arrangement for security reasons.

Why is 1968 such a significant year for this building? That year saw the opening of the first newly built synagogue in Spain since 1492, when the Catholic Monarchs expelled the country's Jewish population.

What other names is the synagogue known by? It's also referred to as the Beth Jacob Synagogue or simply the Synagogue of Madrid.

Where exactly is the synagogue located? At 3 Calle Balmes in Madrid's Chamberí district, at coordinates 40.435353, -3.699906.