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Museum of Jewish History

Museum of Jewish History: Our most recommended tours and activities

Girona: Jewish Heritage Guided City Tour and Museum Visit

1. Girona: Jewish Heritage Guided City Tour and Museum Visit

Embark on a guided tour through the Jewish neighborhood of Girona, one of the best-preserved in Europe. This district is located in the heart of the city and is full of ancient remains from its Roman and Medieval past. Known locally as “the Call”, this area was home to 1,000 inhabitants during the Middle Ages, making it one of the most important Jewish communities in Spain's history. As you explore the narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter — hometown of Nahmanides, the Medieval Kabbalistic philosopher, physician and Sephardic rabbi — you'll visit the spots where the city's 3 synagogues were located. During the guided tour you will find out all about the customs and traditions of the Jewish people who lived here, as well as the tools that they used, and the design of their houses. You'll also visit the Museum of Jewish History to learn about their way of life. Your guide will then lead you around the labyrinthine streets while explaining the history of the expulsion of the Jews in 1492, an act that ended 600 years of coexistence. After 3 hours exploring the Call, your tour will come to an end, and you'll have newfound knowledge of the profound influence that the Jewish community left in Girona.

Girona: Small Group Jewish History Tour of Girona and Besalú

2. Girona: Small Group Jewish History Tour of Girona and Besalú

Home to a historic Jewish quarter, Girona has steep steps and old world charm. Despite the expulsion of Jews in 1492 from the area, today the “call dels jueus” remains in the same location it has been since the Middle Ages. Enjoy a guided visit to the Museum of Jewish History located where the third and lasts Synagogue of Girona were located before the expulsion. Break for lunch and explore before continuing on to the small country village of Besalú. This town has housed a traditional mikveh and synagogue since the 13th-century. It remains one of the most important Jewish areas in Catalonia and in 1966 was declared a national historic and artistic site. Traces of ancient Jewish history continue to be discovered in Besalú and the town remains similar to how it was back when it was home to a rich Jewish population. Wander the irregular medieval streets and snap photos of the ancient steps, arches, stone houses and shops that still sell local handicrafts and goods. Don’t forget to pass over the striking Romanesque bridge that provides access to the town over the Fluvià river, one of the most memorable sights in town.

Girona: Private History Tour

3. Girona: Private History Tour

The ancient walled city of Girona stands on a fortress-like hill, high above the confluence of the Onyar and Ter rivers. With the help of a local guide, discover the most important monuments of Girona, its history, its Jewish heritage and also its legends. This private tour can be tailored to your specific needs and interests. Founded by Iberians, the Romans later named the city Gerunda and established it as an important stopping point on the Via Augusta, linking Iberia with Rome. The most important time for the city, however, was the middle ages. Due to its location near the French border, the city was under siege several times and much of its buildings were built during this time.  Explore the city's 15th-century cathedral, boasting the widest unsupported gothic arch in the world which dominates the skyline. In the lower part of the city, enjoy the steep alleyways and the brightly painted façades of the houses overlooking the Onyar river which provide the most emblematic image of the city. Among the bridges that span the river are the lightweight Gómez bridge and the Ferreries Velles bridge which was designed by Gustave Eiffel in 1877. For those interested in The Game of Thrones series, the guide can show the locations where the 6th season was filmed.

Girona: History and Gastronomy Small Group with Tastings

4. Girona: History and Gastronomy Small Group with Tastings

This experience is a combination of a walking tour through the historic area of the city of Girona, the monumental neighborhood, the Jewish quarter, the Rambla, the bridges over the Onyar river, etc., plus a visit to an specialized tavern to taste the best products that the gastronomy of this area offers. In total we will be together for more than 3 hours. Girona has a high quality gastronomic products. One way to enjoy all the products that the area offers us is in small portions such as tapas or pintxos. We will accompany you to the more specialized taverns to enjoy these small art pieces of Girona and Catalan Gastronomy in general. You will taste local cheeses and sausages, anchovies from La Escala, Iberian ham, the typical sweet from Girona, the Xuixo, and other spectacular products that will surely surprise you. All these products combined by any of the fantastic wines that this country offers. We have more than 50 wineries in the province that nowadays, have nothing to envy to other wine regions of Spain or France. Our D.O (origin denomination) Empordà has become the pride of Girona in recent years. They produce white, rosé and especially red wines of excellent quality. If you do not like wine or cannot drink it, you can taste some beer, or other non-alcoholic drink.

Girona: Guided Walking Tour with Attraction Entry Tickets

5. Girona: Guided Walking Tour with Attraction Entry Tickets

This tour is undoubtedly the most extensive and exhaustive in the city of Girona. You will learn not only about its history and legends, but also you will be able to enjoy a guided visit to the main monuments of the city: The Cathedral of Santa María, the Arab Baths and the Basilica of Sant Feliu. Also we will accompany you on a journey through time since the founding of the city. We will cross the Via Augusta, the Roman, Carolingian and Medieval Walls. We will see the splenor of the medieval period of the city reflected in its monuments: Gothic Palaces, exquisite Romanesque monasteries, the Arab Baths and especially the Cathedral In the historic center of the city, very close to the Cathedral, we will find the important Jewish footprint that still remains in Girona. The Aljama (Jewish community) of Girona was one of the most important in Spain and the center of Kabbalah. The Jewish quarter known as "El Call" stretches through a labyrinth of cobbled alleys that are still preserved intact since 1492, the year of the expulsion of the Jews from Spain. The Jewish presence in the city dates back to the 9th century and they made this community so important, they became 10% of the population of Girona, thanks to merchants, doctors, notaries and such notorious figures as Nahmanides, teacher of the Kabbalah. Leaving the Jewish quarter we will see the Novecentista style house where the architect Rafael Masó was born, one of the most important in the city and we will arrive at the Rambla to see the most famous bridges over the Onyar river. The bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel is undoubtedly the most popular. And we will end the visit in Plaza Independencia, without a doubt a meeting place for everyone who visits Girona, with its restaurants and terraces.

Other Sightseeing Options in Museum of Jewish History

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What people are saying about Museum of Jewish History

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 5 reviews

Our tour was excellent. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable. It was amazing to see the remains of this ancient community -- and also sad to realize this vibrant community is gone. Also, unlike many tourist attractions, it wasn't crowded. It felt like a peaceful walk back in time.

Monica was such a great tour guide. She was very knowledgeable and engaging when telling us the history of Girona and made it so very interesting. The tapas afterwards was excellent and we thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

We didn’t know what to expect when we arrived in Girona. By the time we left, we felt like we knew it all. Monica has such a wealth of knowledge about Girona, especially the history of the Jewish people.

Ona was extremely knowledgeable about the subject of the tour and in general. Very enjoyable time in Girona and impressive fortress walls to mark Dolores after the tour. Thanks

Very nice, informative and entertaining tour. We liked it very much.