The former Barcelona synagogue is located in the oldest part of the city, now known as the Gothic Quarter.
The building reopened to the public as a synagogue and museum in 2002.
It is still occasionally used for festivities.
Today, I'm going to tell you more about this place.
Here we go!
Barcelona synagogue: article summary
Barcelona Synagogue: a site steeped in history
The synagogue's original foundations are thought to date back to the IIIᵉ or IVᵉ century, although it is not known what they were used for at the time. The first documented existence of Jewish communities in Barcelona date back to the XIᵉ century. However, some texts refer to Jewish families who had been living in the area for slightly longer.
A people in tune with Barcelona's royalty
Barcelona's Jewish quarters were known as "Call", which means "community". At first, Christians and Jews coexisted peacefully, the Jewish community having its own institutions and answering directly to the king, whose protection she received.
However, the anti-Semitism developing throughout Europe at the time did not spare the city of Barcelona and, in 1391, Barcelonans revolted against the local Jewish community in what is now known as the "pogrom of 1391.
During this episode, hundreds of Jews were murdered or forced to renounce their faith and convert to Christianity.
Barcelona synagogue: a troubled past
Following the attack, many Jewish neighborhoods were occupied by Christians. It is thought that the synagogue (the main synagogue at the time) was claimed by the local Christian community. as a place of worship at Saint-Dominique. After that, the history of the building is largely unknown, and it undoubtedly served a variety of purposes over the following centuries.
The synagogue in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter today
It wasn't until 1987 that an Argentinian businessman bought the building and noticed that it might in fact be the former synagogue that historians knewit existed somewhere in Barcelona.
Shortly afterwards, excavation work revealed the synagogue's original foundations and, in 2002, it was opened to the public. In 2006, an American lawyer donated an ancient Torah scroll worth approximately 30,000 $. Further enriching this place steeped in Jewish history and culture.
How do I get there?
Barcelona's synagogue is located in the heart of the city. Gothic district. To get there, the easiest way is to take the metro. Jaume I station is the nearest exit to the synagogue. You can then walk a few meters to reach the building very quickly.
You can also use the bus 45, 59, 91, 120, V13, V15 and V17. Visit tourist buses also stop in the Gothic Quarter. So it's not too difficult to get to the site.
What are the opening hours of Barcelona's synagogue?
Like all tourist attractions in Barcelona, the synagogue also has opening times to suit the public. For example, you can visit:
- Winter: Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and from Saturday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Summer: Monday to Friday 10.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from Saturday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
How much does a visit cost?
To enjoy a guided tour of Barcelona's synagogue, you'll need :
- 2,50 € per person
Barcelona's synagogue is an interesting place to visit when in town. I recommend that you and enjoy the incredible history of the place.
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