On March 31, 1492, the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon, signed the infamous Alhambra Decree, ordering the expulsion of all Jews who refused to convert to Christianity.
This fateful edict marked a turning point in Jewish history, leading to the mass exile of Sephardic Jews and the formation of vibrant Jewish communities across the Ottoman Empire, North Africa, and parts of Europe.
THE EXPULSION OF SPANISH JEWRY
The Jewish community of Spain had thrived for centuries, contributing to fields such as science, philosophy, medicine, and finance. However, the rise of Catholic dominance and the Spanish Inquisition cast a dark shadow over their existence. Under the pretext of religious unity, the Alhambra Decree forced an estimated 200,000 Jews to either convert or flee. Those who stayed and converted—known as conversos—often faced suspicion and persecution, accused of secretly practicing Judaism.
