Jewish Quarter Barcelona (El Call)
El Call is Barcelona's Jewish Quarter. Located between the Cathedral of La Seu, Plaça Jaume and Plaça del Pi, it's an atmospheric area which offers a fascinating insight both into Barcelona's hustory and the story of Jews in Catalonia.
See also:
El Call means "alleyway," and suitably, El Call itself is a small maze of narrow streets. Jewish presence in Barcelona dates back to the 9th Century, although it was two centuries later when El Call was created.
Jews were hugely influential in the emergence of Barcelona as a trading port of international significance during the medieval period and enjoyed the King's protection. Until 1391 that was, when the Jewish Quarter was attacked and Jewish priveliges recinded. An interesting spot here is the Centre d'Interpretació del Call. This is a museum dedicated to the history of the Jewish Quarter. It's in a 14th Century house called the House of the Rabbi and conserves rare period details in its architecture.
Also of interest is an ancient synagogue, the Synagoga Mayor, believed to be one opf the oldest in Europe, dating back as far as the third century AD. It has been restored by the Associació Call de Barcelona and is open to the public.
Essential Information
How to Get there: Liceu (green line) is the nearest Metro station. Read more about the Barcelona Metro.
Getting To Barcelona: Barcelona is served by Barcelona El Prat Airport, and Renfe trains connect from all other major Spanish cities to Sants Estacio.
See also:
El Call means "alleyway," and suitably, El Call itself is a small maze of narrow streets. Jewish presence in Barcelona dates back to the 9th Century, although it was two centuries later when El Call was created.
Jews were hugely influential in the emergence of Barcelona as a trading port of international significance during the medieval period and enjoyed the King's protection. Until 1391 that was, when the Jewish Quarter was attacked and Jewish priveliges recinded. An interesting spot here is the Centre d'Interpretació del Call. This is a museum dedicated to the history of the Jewish Quarter. It's in a 14th Century house called the House of the Rabbi and conserves rare period details in its architecture.
Also of interest is an ancient synagogue, the Synagoga Mayor, believed to be one opf the oldest in Europe, dating back as far as the third century AD. It has been restored by the Associació Call de Barcelona and is open to the public.
Essential Information
How to Get there: Liceu (green line) is the nearest Metro station. Read more about the Barcelona Metro.
Getting To Barcelona: Barcelona is served by Barcelona El Prat Airport, and Renfe trains connect from all other major Spanish cities to Sants Estacio.
