Private El Call – Jewish Quarter in Barcelona Walking Tour

Overview

What to expect

El Call, known under this name since the 12th Century, was the Jewish quarter in the Medieval Barcelona. After their expulsion in 1492 their trace in the city fades away, as it was only a question of time before the ones that stayed, converses, mixed in with the Catalan society. About the ones that left, some traditions link Jewish families with a Catalan Origin.

For several generations, many converses continued to secretly and discretely practice Jewish rituals, although many ended judged and condemned by the Inquisition.

Plaça Sant Felip Neri is one of the most beautiful spots in the city.  Presiding over the square is the baroque church of Sant Felip Neri, and surrounding it are the buildings that formerly belonged to the Guilds of Shoemakers and of Boilermakers.

Carrer Banys Nous:  The street’s name recalls the Jewish Baths present there from the 12th Century until 1834.

Centre d’Interpretació del Call: It traces the Call’s urban tissue throughout history, starting from its foundation during roman times until the urban interventions in the 19th and 20th Centuries.

Carrer de Sant Honorat: The quarter’s Eastern boundary. At the end of the street was one of the entrance gates to the confined quarter.

Carrer de Sant Sever i baixada de Santa Eulàlia: The quarter’s Northern boundary. Both streets were known as the Volta del Call (the Call’s turn), as they were the limit with the Christian territory.

Carrer de Salomó ben Adret: The Call’s main street, where the Major Synagogue was situated and the most important members in the community used to live.

Carrer de l’Arc de Sant Ramon del Call follows the inside contour of the roman walls.

Els quatre cantons del Call: The crossing between the Banys Nous, Boqueria, Avinyó and Call. The four streets were developed in mid 13th Century, once the King had authorised the opening of gates and windows of the old roman walls.

Call Menor: The Minor Call was an urban development planned in the 13th Century, with 5 blocks of houses, a synagogue and a central square.

The Ancient Greater Synagogue: The Synagogue remains to be the cultural and study centre of the Jewish community. It is more than a place to worship, it is also a place to study, discuss sacred texts, a school to learn Hebrew and the norms of Judaism. It already existed a Jewish community at the end of the 2nd Century.

Reviews

Check our reviews and see what our customers say about this tour.

Posted by racbarn - 26 Nov 2015

"Learned so much about judaism in Barcelona & Spain" 5/5 stars

After touring what seemed like hundreds of cathedrals, it was refreshing to even find a tour of the Jewish quarter in Barcelona. The amount of influence the Jews had in Catalunia was striking, but without an expert guide like Cristina, you would never know. This tour uncovered so many hidden and surprising historical notes about Jewish life in Barcelona, but I don't want to give anything away- if this is an area of interest for you, I highly recommend this tour!

Reviewed by racbarn, from Tennessee, USA.

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