[2][3][4] Tomar's Jewish community traced its origins to the 14th century, when some individuals came to work for the Knights Templar and their successors in the Military Order of Christ.

The community grew even larger when Spanish Jews settled in Tomar after Spain expelled them in 1492.

The synagogue's congregation was openly active only until 1496, when King Manuel I of Portugal ordered the forced conversion or expulsion of Portuguese Jews.

[2][4][5] The building may have been abandoned until 1516, when a private individual purchased it intending to convert it to Tomar's prison.

[2][5] From the 19th century until 1920—when Portuguese archaeologists first visited the building—it functioned as a hay barn and then as a wine and grocery warehouse.

[2][4][5] Schwarz donated the building on 27 July 1939 to the Portuguese government on the condition it be turned into a museum.