Sinagoga Medieval de la Misericordia

Sinagoga Medieval de la Misericordia is a medieval synagogue uncovered in the heart of Utrera, a small town in the province of Seville, Andalusia. Its remains came to light in February 2023 during works commissioned by the local council inside the former Misericordia hospital building on Niño Perdido street. The find made headlines because it is now the only surviving synagogue in the whole province of Seville, and the second in all of Andalusia after the synagogue of Córdoba — instantly placing Utrera on the map of Spain's Sephardic heritage.

Where is the synagogue and how do you get there?

The site sits in Utrera's historic centre, inside the building that once housed the Misericordia hospital on Niño Perdido street. Utrera lies roughly 30 km southeast of Seville, reachable by regional train or bus from Seville's stations, as well as by road. Once in town, the old quarter where the synagogue stands is compact and easy to explore on foot, close to the municipality's other historic landmarks.

What was found beneath the old Misericordia hospital?

The discovery is the result of archaeological work the Utrera town council began in 2021 inside the former Misericordia hospital. Excavations revealed the remains of a building raised in the Mudéjar style, used as a synagogue during the 14th and 15th centuries — that is, before the expulsion of Spain's Jewish population in 1492. Among the elements identified is the hejal, the recess where Torah scrolls were kept, one of the most recognisable features of synagogue architecture. Mudéjar style, which blends Islamic decorative traditions with Christian building methods, was widespread across Andalusia at the time and can also be seen in other religious buildings of the region, regardless of faith.

Why does this discovery matter?

Surviving medieval synagogues are rare in Spain: most were converted into churches or destroyed after the expulsion of the Jewish population. The Utrera synagogue is currently the only one standing in Seville province and the second in Andalusia overall, ranking just behind the synagogue of Córdoba. That status has drawn attention from heritage researchers and institutions dedicated to Jewish history in Spain, including the Network of Jewish Quarters of Spain (Red de Juderías de España), whose representatives visited Utrera to review the progress of the conservation work.

What can you see on site, and what comes next?

Work to uncover and stabilise the synagogue's remains has continued since 2021 under the direction of the Utrera town council. The municipality's stated goal is to eventually open the site to visitors as a museum space, displaying the architectural elements found so far — including the hejal — alongside the history of Utrera's Jewish community before the 1492 expulsion. Because archaeological work is ongoing, the area open to visitors may change as excavations progress.

When is the best time to visit?

Like the rest of Andalusia, Utrera has hot summers, so spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable seasons for exploring the town and its surroundings. Since the synagogue is still undergoing conservation work, it's worth checking the current access status with local authorities or Utrera's tourist information office before planning a visit.

Frequently asked questions

Can the synagogue already be visited? The site is still undergoing archaeological and conservation work led by the Utrera town council since 2021, with plans to eventually turn it into a museum. It's best to check current access before travelling.

Why is this synagogue significant? It is the only surviving synagogue in Seville province and the second in all of Andalusia after Córdoba, making it a rare physical trace of the region's Jewish community before 1492.

When was the synagogue discovered? Its remains were uncovered in February 2023 during works at the former Misericordia hospital, although archaeological research at the site had been under way since 2021.

How do you get to Utrera? Utrera is about 30 km from Seville and can be reached by train or bus from the city's stations. The synagogue stands in the historic centre, an easily walkable area once you arrive.