[Gocamino] Matajudios????

[robert ward]

According to a local history published under the auspices of the town council of Castrojeriz, the origins of the name "Castrillo de Matajudios" go back to the 12th century, when 60 Jews of the Castrojeriz Jewish quarter were slaughtered by their fellow citizens for reasons unexplained. The remainder were obliged to leave the town and resettle in Castrillo. A premonition of greater dislocations to come.



--- On Wed, 5/6/09, Glenn Jilek <guha2005 at hotmail.com> wrote:

From: Glenn Jilek <guha2005 at hotmail.com>
Subject: [Gocamino] Matajudios????
To: "Ultreya" <ultreya at yahoogroups.com>, gocamino at oakapple.net
Received: Wednesday, May 6, 2009, 12:45 PM


This is my 3rd time I passed through Castrojeriz.  The first time, I knew only enough Spanish to be a bit courteous, and to get essentials.  The second time I noticed a strange sign but it was in the middle of a thunder lightning rain storm and I really was concerned with getting shelter.  This time I paid special attention to the sign as you approached that steep ascent.  It said Castillo de Matajudios.  At the top of the plateau was a sign designating an ecological area called Matajudios.  What is the story behind this?  Matajudios means Jew Killer does is not?  Was this during the period of Isabels ethnic cleansing, when Jews had to leave or die?  Before I went to college, ages ago, I always associated Queen Isabel with Columbus and the "discovery" of the new world.  Then I found out she really was a major player in one of the first pogroms.

 

It is just shocking to see a sign like that in modern times.  I hope that I am wrong in my translation.  Can  anyone clarify this for me.

 

Glenn
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