Girona has one of the better preserved Jewish quarters in Europe. Its urban shaping, its narrow streets and the fact that some of them remained closed for so many years made possible that the speculation that damaged the city so much during the years under Franco regime fortunately did not reach this part of the city.
The Jewish Girona
5 important things to see
1. Museum of Jewish History
The visitor walking around the Call has to get in the Museum of Jewish History where there is a permanent exhibition about the Jews’ way of life.
Inside you can see a collection of gravestones coming from Hebrew cemeteries that there were in Girona, apart from other objects and old Torah’s passages.
Recently some remaining of a “Mitzvè” (a ritual female bath) have been discovered, which emphasizes the importance of this collection and breathes the essences of a past that can be grasped still nowadays thanks to the magical content of this museum.
2. ``Mezouzàh``
It is known as “mezouzàh” the rolled parchment that contains two verses from the Torah preceded by the sentence “”Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our God and it was placed in a crack made in the right side of the doors, making homes sacred as if they were a temple.
It is one of the most representative features of Jewish homes.
In some parts of Girona Jewish quarter this holes to keep the mezuzah can still be seen. One of the best kept can be seen in number 33 in the “Placeta de l’ Institut Vell” just behind the Arc bar.
3. “La Tolrana``
It was said that in the Call there was a very cultivated Jewish woman who was very respected and followed the Mosaic Law. According to the legend collected by Carles Vivó, on September the 17th 1391 her body was found beheaded in Gironella tower where the Call’s inhabitants had taken refuge due to the mobs caused by the Cathedral canons.
It is said that since then her ghost wanders around the old town and her voice can be heard crying and singing some unintelligible moans.
If you want to get into this story and its mystery, nothing better than paying a visit to the remains of Gironella tower, which is specially recovered and garnished in May with the flowers exhibition.
4. The synagogue
Facing the East, it was the heart of the Jewish quarter, a centre for prayer, culture and social life. Although nowadays no remains are kept, in Girona there is evidence of three different synagogues.
The first one could be located in the “Apostols” square, in the corner made by the Art Museum and the Cathedral to be precise.
The second one would be located at the top of Força street next to the wall that leads to Les Ballesteries, approximately where today there are the Municipal Archives and the History Museum, formerly the “Institut” seat and even before a capuchin monastery.
And the third one, which has been documented that was located in number 5 of the Dones street, nowadays called “Miquel Oliva”. According to the legend, here there were some underground stairs that led to a subterranean corridor which was used by the Jews in times of danger to cross the Onyar river. Walking around this area it is possible to meet again the spirit of the wise Nahmànides better known as Bonastruc de Porta.
5. Cúndaro street
It was said that in the Call there was a very cultivated Jewish woman who was very respected and followed the Mosaic Law. According to the legend collected by Carles Vivó, on September the 17th 1391 her body was found beheaded in Gironella tower where the Call’s inhabitants had taken refuge due to the mobs caused by the Cathedral canons.
It is said that since then her ghost wanders around the old town and her voice can be heard crying and singing some unintelligible moans.
If you want to get into this story and its mystery, nothing better than paying a visit to the remains of Gironella tower, which is specially recovered and garnished in May with the flowers exhibition.
