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Girona was once one of the most important Jewish communities in Spain and the center of a flourishing intellectual Kabbalah. The Jewish quarter, known as the 'Call', spreads out in a maze of small, narrow and very often steeply sloping streets which still maintain their medieval atmosphere. It was begun in the 9th Century, and, right up until the expulsion of the Jews in 1492, was the home of a thriving community that once contained almost a thousand inhabitants. The Call was the home of Mose Ben Nahman , also known as Ramban, one of the greatest medieval cabbalists. We will visit the fascinating Jewish museum Bonastruc ça Porta Centre where we will learn about the way of life of the Girona Jews. The museum features one of the most important collections of Jewish tombstones in Europe.
Besalu, a medieval town located 35 km from Girona, has an extremely interesting Jewish quarter. The Mikve, or ritual bath, was discovered accidentally about 40 years ago. This is the first such building to have been discovered in Spain and the third so far in Europe.
The experience: By taking this tour, you will have an insight into the fascinating world of the medieval Catalan Jewish Community.
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