Palace of the Forgotten facts for kids
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The Palace of the Forgotten (in Spanish: Palacio de los Olvidados) is a museum in Granada, Spain. It teaches visitors about the Spanish Inquisition, Jewish history, and the rich heritage of Granada and Andalusia. The museum is located in the Albaicín neighborhood. This area is a World Heritage Site, recognized by UNESCO in 1994. It's an important part of the historic Alhambra and Generalife complex.
The museum is housed in the beautiful Casa-Palacio de Santa Inés. This building is a restored 16th-century palace. It has been declared a Bien de Interés Cultural, which means it's a protected heritage site. On its front, there's an old coat of arms. It might have belonged to a Jewish person who converted to Christianity. This person likely wanted to show their "pureza de sangre" (blood purity) through their family symbol. The museum opened in 2014 and also offers guided tours if you book ahead.
Contents
What You'll See at the Museum
The Palace of the Forgotten museum has over 7,534 square feet (700 square meters) of exhibition space. It features unique large halls. From its terraces, you can enjoy amazing views of the Alhambra and the Albaicín. The museum currently offers two main exhibitions. These are "Inquisition: Ancient Instruments of Torture" and "Interactive Flamenco".
A Look at History
Today, there are very few signs left of Jewish Granada. However, Jewish people once formed a very important community here. This classic Andalusian city was home to great poets, leaders, scientists, and thinkers. They contributed a lot and enriched the "City of the Alhambra."
The Palace of the Forgotten was created to showcase the Sephardic culture of Granada. Its name refers to "a people that was forgotten." This happened after the Inquisition and their expulsion from Granada. The Catholic Monarchs ordered this expulsion. The museum aims to fill this historical gap. It wants to share knowledge about the Jewish presence in the city.
What's on Display
The museum combines parts of its historic building with items from private collections. Most of these items come from the Crespo López Family collection. They were donated to the museum. These pieces are spread across two floors of the exhibition space. They include objects related to the Inquisition and converted Jews. You'll also see religious symbols, and items used in Jewish rituals and celebrations.
The museum highlights the important role of women in Sephardic culture. It also features famous Jewish figures. These include Samuel ibn Naghrillah, Moses ibn Ezra, and Judah ibn Tibbon. The tour ends in a room dedicated to the Water Synagogue in Úbeda. This room includes a recreation of its ritual bath, called a Mikveh.
The museum shows how important the Inquisition was in the daily lives of Granada's Jews. Both topics are presented together. You might see historical items like Gallows or "torture masks." These are mixed with symbols of Sephardic culture. There are also sundials and items showing astronomical discoveries. These displays remind visitors of the Jewish presence and their persecution. They show both the good and bad times in Jewish and Spanish history.
The Inquisition Museum
The Spanish Inquisition was started by the Catholic Monarchs in 1478. Its goal was to make Spain fully Catholic. It lasted for 350 years. It was officially ended in 1834.
The Palace of the Forgotten displays more than 70 historical instruments. These were used by the European and Spanish Inquisition courts. Soft music plays as visitors walk through this "path of terror." You'll see a skeleton tied to a wheel and a "sanbenito" (a special garment). These items are part of the collection of historical elements on display.
Interactive Flamenco Exhibition
The first floor of the museum hosts the Interactive Flamenco exhibition. This part of the museum is designed to help you experience flamenco. It aims to show the many feelings flamenco creates. In this space, you can learn about flamenco's past and present. You'll discover its rhythms, beats, and different types of voices.
This exhibition is made for "sensory experimentation." You can experience its dances and influences. It's like a living museum, where visitors can participate. Interactive multimedia tools help make the experience even better.
See also
In Spanish: Palacio de los Olvidados para niños
