El Call (Jewish Quarter)

The best-preserved medieval Jewish quarter in Spain, inhabited for 600 years

The medieval Jewish quarter of Girona is the most intact in Spain — a maze of narrow stone alleyways, covered passages, and staircases that preserved its medieval form through centuries of Christian occupation. Jews lived here continuously from the 9th century until the expulsion of 1492.

The Museu d'Història dels Jueus (Museum of Jewish History) occupies a former synagogue building and tells the story of the community through artefacts and documents. The surrounding streets — Carrer de la Força, Carrer Cúndaro, the steps of Pujada de Sant Domènec — reward slow exploration. Many of the buildings retain Hebrew inscriptions over doorways and mezuzah niches in the stonework.

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A story
Girona's Jewish community was one of the most intellectually distinguished in medieval Europe. The Kabbalist scholar Nahmanides (Rabbi Moses ben Nahman) was born here around 1194 and wrote extensively in the city before being expelled to Aragon following a public debate in Barcelona. His house on the Call is still identifiable. The community was expelled in 1492 along with all Jews in Spain.

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