Spanish town changes name from ‘Camp Kill Jews’

The tiny Spanish pueblo of Castrillo Matajudios, which means “Camp Kill Jews” has officially changed its name back to Castrillo Mota de Judios (Jews’ Hill Camp) following a referendum and regional government approval.

The town, with some 50 inhabitants, voted to change the name in 2014 after the mayor argued that the term was offensive and that the town should honour its Jewish origins.

Documents show the town’s original name was Jews’ Hill Camp and that the Kill Jews name dates from 1627, after a 1492 Spanish edict ordering Jews to become Catholics or flee the country. Those who remained faced the Spanish inquisition, with many burned at the stake.