The site remained hidden and bricked up for centuries, unknown even to the previous owners of the property.
The mikvah is naturally fed by an underground water source that has flowed through the site since its construction.
Archaeologists confirmed the identity of the site through its distinct architectural layout, including specific rooms for purification rituals.
The original masonry, including stone arches and foundations, was left largely untouched to preserve the authenticity of the find.
The synagogue is located in the heart of Úbeda's historic Jewish quarter, near the old city walls.
Sinagoga del Agua is a 14th-century Jewish site rediscovered in 2007 during the renovation of a private residential building in Úbeda. The site features a mikvah, or ritual bath, fed by underground spring water that remains visible today. It is widely considered one of the most significant medieval synagogue remains in the Iberian Peninsula. The architecture includes various rooms that were preserved as they were found during the excavation process. Visitors traverse a subterranean pathway that reveals the original stone walls and vaulted ceilings of the period. The site highlights the Jewish heritage of the town prior to the 1492 expulsion. The structure is integrated into the city’s historic fabric, maintaining a raw, archaeological aesthetic rather than a restored museum presentation.
The descent into the mikvah area provides the most striking view of the stone architecture and natural water.
Book your entry slot online in advance as visitor numbers are strictly controlled to protect the site.
Wear comfortable, non-slip footwear, as the stone floors in the subterranean levels can be damp.
Listen closely to the guided narrative, as the site’s history is best understood through the context of its accidental discovery.
Do not attempt to touch the original stone walls or the exposed subterranean water features.
Closed on certain Mondays; verify current seasonal operation before arrival.
Maintain a quiet tone, as the acoustics in the small, stone-walled rooms amplify sound easily.
