Discover the Jewish Roots of Gran Canaria

A vacation on an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, enjoying its cuisine, nature, and culture, is a trip worth taking. But if you can also learn about the history of our ancestors and even celebrate Shabbat with the local Jewish community, the experience will be unforgettable. 

The first stop for any tourist arriving in Gran Canaria is the capital city: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Known for its picturesque old quarter, its pedestrian streets of Vegueta and Triana, its museums, and its constant view of the sea, it is the most authentic place to connect with local culture and with the Canary Jewish roots.

In the historic center of the city, surrounded by museums, shops, and theaters, locates the synagogue of the Israelite Community of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. It is the meeting place of about 30 families, that form the Jewish nucleus of the island. Despite its small size, it has been able to resist assimilation thanks to the determination of its members to keep Judaism alive in the region. The institution celebrates the Jewish holidays and develops educational, cultural, and social programs to practice a full Jewish life.

Most of the Canary Islands’ Jews are of Sephardic origin, as the first generations arrived in the last century from cities in North Africa, a continent that lies just across the archipelago. They came mainly from Moroccan cities that were then under French and Spanish protectorates, such as Tangier, Tetouan, Casablanca or Alcazarquivir.

Their ancient Sephardic traditions and their attachment to an island that they consider their home, blend into the personality of the Canarian Jews. Energy, joy and friendliness characterize this population, which is ready to share with anyone who visits. This is why the Jewish community opens its doors to tourists who want to get to know them, discover their history and experience local Judaism during a Shabbat dinner. 

The Jews of the Canary Islands during the Early Modern Period
A visit to the capital city, followed by a tour of the current synagogue in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, offers the opportunity to explore the various museums, which house significant artifacts from Jewish history on the island.

Due to its strategic location, the Canary Islands have always been a transit destination, a hub of commercial activity, and a melting pot of cultural diversity. 

For this reason, the Jewish presence in this territory has been recorded since at least the 15th century. Indeed, it was a refuge for many expelled and persecuted by the Inquisition, who managed to continue their customs clandestinely, but without strong persecutions as occurred in the Iberian Peninsula.

One of the most relevant museums in this regard is the Casa de Colón, where Christopher Columbus stayed during his time on the island. The museum offers insight into the contributions of various Jewish professionals as the cartographers Martin Behaim or Abraham Cresques, particularly in relation to Columbus’s voyage to the Americas. 

Despite the difficulty of practicing Judaism, both then and now, the Jewish presence in Gran Canaria has a long tradition, which is little known worldwide. This is a story to discover and experience on your next trip to this amazing Spanish island in the middle of the Atlantic.