The Three Cultures Foundation offers the colloquium ‘The Synagogue of Utrera: the traces of Sepharad in the Seville countryside’

On 26th September, the Three Cultures Foundation is offering a colloquium entitled ‘The Synagogue of Utrera: the traces of Sepharad in the countryside of Seville’, as part of the ‘Archaeological News’ series as part of the Al-Andalus Chair project.

The ‘Archaeological News’ cycle, within the Al-Andalus Chair project of the Three Cultures Foundation, aims to present the latest developments in the field of archaeological discoveries, an essential area for continuing to deepen our knowledge of the Andalusian past and which often allows us to carry out the re-evaluation and reinterpretation necessary for the evolution of science.

The first session of this cycle will focus on the remains of what could be one of the most important synagogues on the Iberian Peninsula. In February 2023, a team of archaeologists discovered the remains of an apparent synagogue complex under the house known as Niño Perdido, the former Hospital de la Misericordia, a building that has had multiple uses throughout history and which is located in the Sevillian town of Utrera.

The existence of a temple dedicated to the Jewish religion was recorded in 1604 by the historian Rodrigo Caro, a local resident. The conference, entitled ‘The synagogue of Utrera: the traces of Sepharad in the Seville countryside’, will be given by Miguel Ángel de Dios Pérez, director of the preventive archaeological activity. 

The speaker will cover aspects such as the scope of the archaeological activity carried out at the site; the archaeological evidence that confirms the existence of the synagogue in the place indicated by Rodrigo Caro and the current state of conservation of the synagogue. As the archaeologist himself explains: ‘The building in Calle Niño Perdido in Utrera preserves archaeological evidence of a cultural heritage, often forgotten, if not reviled, which is essential to recognise and interpret, in its proper measure, the cultural heritage that today defines and identifies us: ספרד (Sepharad)’.

The session will take place on Thursday 26 September 2024 at 19.00 h. at the headquarters of the Three Cultures Foundation of the Mediterranean.

About the speaker:

Miguel Ángel de Dios Pérez holds a degree in Geography and History, Prehistory and Archaeology section, from the University of Seville. He has been working as an archaeologist since 1992, developing both private and public projects. He currently combines the free practice of his profession with his participation in different national and international research projects.

Free admission with prior registration at THIS LINK.