The Jewish Quarter of Guarda | texts and contexts

Abstract: In this article we intend to present the results of a multidisciplinary approach to the study of the Jewish quarter of Guarda in medieval times. The earliest reference to Jewish presence in the city of Guarda dates back to 1295. From this date until the expulsion/conversion of the Jews in 1496, there are numerous documents referring to the Jewish community, the urbanisation of the Jewish quarter and even its synagogue. This means that the Guarda Jewish quarter is one of the best documented in the centre of Portugal and has consequently attracted many different researchers. Despite the high scientific quality of most of the research carried out, the lack of complementary disciplinary approaches has sometimes led to a lack of knowledge or the perpetuation of erroneous historiographical lines, particularly the correlation between cruciform marks and Jewish presence. Through the combination of a bibliographical review and archaeological interventions, urban planning studies and new archival contributions, it is now possible to gain a better understanding of this urban space, to demystify certain historiographical lines and to establish future lines of research regarding knowledge of the Jewish presence and daily life in the city of Guarda. In: Andrade, A., Tente, C., Silva, G., Prata, S. (2019) Inclusão e exclusão na Europa urbana medieval, IEM e CMCV, 333-378