The history of the Jews in Europe has always been closely linked to Christianity. In many countries, the Jewish population initially lived in peaceful coexistence with their Christian surroundings. Due to their supra-regional contacts, the Jews played a significant role in establishing trade relations and the transfer of knowledge in medieval Europe. In Spain, in particular, there was a period of peaceful coexistence between Jews, Muslims, and Christians. However, the traumatic events during the Crusades and the pogroms during the plague, the Inquisition, and the expulsion from Spain in 1492 shaped the lives and culture of European Jews for centuries to come.
