Expulsion of Jews from the Kingdom of Naples

Expulsion of Jews from the Kingdom of Naples

In 1540, Jewish communities in the Kingdom of Naples were expelled as the region came under the control of the Spanish crown and became subject to Spanish Inquisition policies. The expulsion order required Jews to leave the territory and relinquish property, and it was enforced by local and royal officials representing Spanish authority.

Jews had lived in parts of southern Italy, including the Kingdom of Naples, for centuries, contributing to trade, finance, and various professions. During the early 16th century, increased influence of the Spanish Inquisition and rising anti-Jewish sentiment led to legal and social pressures on Jewish residents.

Following the 1540 expulsion, many Jews migrated to other Italian states, the Ottoman Empire, North Africa, and elsewhere in Europe. The removal of Jewish communities from Naples was part of a broader pattern of expulsions and restrictions affecting Jews across Italian territories in the 16th century, including Genoa, Ancona, and Rome in later decades.