In the late 15th century, hundreds of thousands of Jews who refused to convert to Christianity were expelled from Spain, leaving behind a remarkable history. After many adventures, most Sephardim (Sepharad means Spain) sought refuge in the Ottoman Empire, where with their skills, expertise, and culture, they built a new life.

They settled in major port cities, founded dozens of communities with advanced forms of autonomy, and excelled in medicine, diplomacy, and international trade. In particular, the community of Thessaloniki developed rapidly, experienced days of glory, and its prestige as the "Jerusalem of the Balkans" was maintained for hundreds of years after its sun set. Five centuries later, most Sephardim of Thessaloniki met a tragic end in Auschwitz.

A documented journey through the history of the Sephardic Jews, chronicling their persecution from the Iberian Peninsula and narrating their lives in the Ottoman Empire, with an emphasis on Thessaloniki, up to the early decades of the 20th century.