The Faro Jewish Cemetery is the last remaining vestige of the post inquisition Jewish presence in the Algarve. 106 graves in the cemetery, which is paved with Portuguese calçada. 71 of the graves have inscriptions indicating burials took place here from 1838 to 1932. There is a tahara house in which bodies were washed and prayers were said, which is now a museum annex.
The Isaac Bitton Museum houses valuable books, documents and Jewish artifacts, collected over recent years. A display of furniture is a centerpiece of the museum. The pieces were taken from one of the two defunct 19th and 20th century Faro synagogues. Models in traditional clothing depict Wedding and a Bar Mitzvah ceremonies. A replica copy of Samuel Gacon’s 1487 Pentateuch in printed in Hebrew in Faro is also on display. The reception desk sells Jewish books, videos, and souvenirs, etc.
For more information, visit the Faro Jewish Heritage Center website.
Faro Jewish Cemetery & Isaac Bitton Museum
Rua Leão Penedo
Faro
Central Algarve
Phone: +351 282 416 710
Email: centrojudaicofaro@sapo.pt
Monday to Friday – 09:30 to 12.30 and 14:00 to 17:00
