Pedro de Herrera

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Pedro de Herrera was a Spanish politician known for his role in the reconquest of Gibraltar and for leading a community of Sefardic Jews who settled for three years in this town.

Herrera led a group of Jewish refugees from Córdoba in 1474. Sefardic Gibraltar was granted sovereignty by the Duke of Medina Sidonia. The community grew to over 4,000, who paid taxes to Medina Sidonia and established a garrison of cavalry at his command. This lasted only 2 years though. In 1476, the Duke of Medina Sidonia realigned with Spain; the Sefardim were then forced back to Córdoba and the Inquisition. Herrera's community was later dispersed from Córdoba and Sevilla subsequent to the Edict of Expulsion of 1492.