Residents of the Spanish village of Castrillo Matajudíos, which translates as “Kill the Jews”, have voted to change its controversial name.
The name has stood since 1623, but residents voted 29-19 on Sunday to change the name to something less offensive.
The town hall will now review the vote next week before filing the paperwork to change the name in a process which could take up to a year, according to AFP.
The village’s original name, Castrillo Mota de Judíos, dates back to 1035 when Jews from nearby Castrojeriz found refuge in the area in the wake of a pogrom. However the Jews were expelled from Spain after the Alhambra Decree in 1492 when the village was renamed “Matajudíos” possibly as a commitment of their Christian faith and a sign of support for the Catholic monarchy.
