The historical and artistic complex of the town of Ribadavia was declared Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC) in 1947 for its great preservation of monumental, historical, and religious, popular, and noble architecture. In the Jewish quarter we will find most of the places of interest. The town is dotted with history, Romanesque and Gothic temples, centuries-old manor houses, and even a castle. Around the 11th century, during the reign of King Don García, Ribadavia became the capital of the kingdom. This fact, along with the construction of important nearby monasteries such as those of Melón or San Clodio and the sale of O Ribeiro wine, which was already being marketed throughout the northern peninsula, led to the rapid economic growth of the town of Ribadavia, which attracted the first Jews to settle there. The first written record of the presence of Jews in Ribadavia is in the document Chronicles of Froissant about the Hundred Years’ War, where it is mentioned that Christians and Jews fought together against the English army of the Duke of Lancaster.
From the 15th century onwards, there are more mentions of the Jewish presence in Ribadavia. It is said that there were approximately 13 families, that is, a relatively small nucleus. In 1606, after the expulsion of a large part of the Jewish community, those who pretended to have converted to Christianity had to flee from the persecution carried out by the Inquisition. Despite this, 28 Jews were finally tried in 1608 in Santiago.
The visit to the Jewish quarter begins at the Galician Jewish Information Center (Plaza de los Condes de Ribadavia). Then, after a short walk through the streets, we can access the House of the Inquisition; a fortified manor house with a Renaissance courtyard located at the corner of Jerusalén and San Martiño streets. Next, we can walk through the Jewish quarter itself, from the Plaza Mayor to the Medieval Wall. Upon reaching the edge of the Jewish Quarter, we will find the 12th-century wall, one of the five original accesses to Ribadavia that existed in medieval times. Finally, if we visit the Tahona de Herminia, we can enjoy sweets made in the purest Sephardic style.