The old Jewish Quarter or Call in Girona is one of the best preserved in Europe. It is characterized by narrow streets and steep stairways.
Until 1492, large Jewish communities were formed in Spanish cities. But due of the Alhambra Decree, they had to leave Spain. Although many Jews had supported the war against the Muslims financially strong.
After expulsion of the Muslims, the desire for religious unification in the country was stronger, which ultimately led to the Alhambra Decree. Around 10% of the population had to leave the country.
The environmental and social impact was significant. Only those who converted to the Christianity were allowed to stay, but were then under general suspicion of Inquisition. Many were burned at the stake. As late as 1992 the Alhambra Decree was irrevocably overridden.
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More InformationWe visit the Jewish museum the that used to be a synagogue. The sign, embedded in to the street before the gate, stating that it is was not only a synagogue, but also a house where one could receive an overnight accommodation as well as help into difficult situations.
Inside the museum you can see objects of the Jewish community of Girona, at that time the community consists of 700 persons.
After a walk through the medieval streets, alleys and squares, lined by restaurants, bars and Taperias, we are invited to a meal in the restaurant Els Jardins de la Mercè. The excellent restaurant is located in a former Covent from the 17th century.
Not only the food but also the wine tasted delicious. We briefly stay at a dwell in the garden of the restaurant, where a small fountain with its moisture exudes cool air.
We do not know, what the artist, who had built the colorful letters in front of the building of the Provincial Government of Catalunya, was trying to tell us. Anyway, we quickly realized that they are not only meant for sitting, but it offers unusual photo and film perspectives and we have fun.
The government building has a beautifully landscaped courtyard with frescoes.
On the Plaça de la Constitució we discover the bronze statue of Maria, a girl who was born on December 6, 1978 in Girona. It was the day when the Spanish Constitution was enacted after the Franco dictatorship. At the time of creation of the monument, Maria del Mar Cabeza was 12 years old. The sculpture was created by Francisco López Hernández and seems to look at the opposite house.
Here you find the Cinema Museum, Museu del Cinema. Opened in 1998, museum displays 30,000 exhibits from the private collection of Tomas Mallol. Gloria recommends it that all, who want to make a journey from the origins of the film up to the emergence of television. Gloria told us that in addition to a camera obscura also the projector which the Lumière brothers used for their first public cinema show is exhibited. Definitely a place to visit.
Only two blocks away, we come across a colossal crocodile with butterfly wing at a house facade, called Cocollona. A legend of Girona says that Cocollona was a particularly reverent and religious nun, who was locked in a deep cellar by her fellow sisters. They did not always take it seriously with the faith and were afraid that Cocollona could talk about their transgressions. However, over time, her skin changed in the damp dungeon and she got sheds and she turned into a crocodile. Since she always led an impeccable lifestyle, she also got beautiful butterfly wings.
From time to time, Cocollona is supposed to be seen on the banks of the Onyar river today.
After a brief visit of the Plaça de la Independència, our guide Gloria has a surprise for us. She invites us to an ice cream at Gelateria Rocambolesc. It belongs to the Roca brothers, three stars cooks and owners of the El Celler de Can Roca, awarded the best restaurants in the world in 2015. The ice was delicious!
A specialty of Gelateria Rocambolesc is the warm ice cream sandwich. The ice comes in a fluffy bun and gets heated. The ice in the interior stays cool while the outside is hot. An exceptionally taste experience.
On the way back to the bus we cross again the Onyar river. This time we take the Eiffel Bridge, the most famous of the 11 bridges of Girona. This footbridge was built by Gustave Eiffel just before the construction of the Eiffel Tower.
In the downtown we discover huge dolls, sitting meter high above the street on a pole. During the plague, the district was sealed off and one was looking for something to entertain the children. As a remnant of these days, one hangs it up in spring. Children, who ring the doorbell, get the key to turn the dolls by means of a crank.
At the end of our tour, the caramel-colored facades of Girona shine in the most beautiful evening light. We are completely satisfied with the day and the world.
Even though it was a busy day, we took a lot of beautiful impressions of Girona which were awakened to life by the explanations of Gloria.
Please read also > Arab Baths and castle | Girona Cathedral | An evening in Girona
Disclosure : We were kindly invited by Girona Tourism. Many thanks for it! All impressions and opinions are our own and were not influenced by this!
Text, photos and video: Copyright © myVideoMedia
Did you just write that News were burned at the stake as late as 1992?
Why are you lying?
omit or do a better job at editing.
GEEZ!
Thank you for your comment. This must be a missunderstanding.
What we write is that the persecution of the jews happend after the Alhambra Decree was issued in 1942.
The edict was formally revoked on 16 December 1968 and in 1992 the Alhambra Decree was irrevocably overridden. See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alhambra_Decree