Barcelona`s Jewish heritage

Barcelona’s Jewish heritage is woven into the very fabric of its historic center, especially within the Gothic Quarter. The heart of this legacy lies in El Call, the medieval Jewish quarter, which once housed a thriving community complete with synagogues, schools, and baths. The Ancient Synagogue of Barcelona, dating back to the 6th century, is one of the oldest in Europe and still stands as a testament to the city's rich Jewish past.

Nearby, on Marlet Street, a 13th-century Hebrew inscription honors Rabbi Samuel ha-Sardi, whose memory “shines for eternity”.

The Montjuïc hill, whose name may derive from “Jewish Mountain,” was home to a Jewish cemetery as early as 1091; excavations in 1945 uncovered tombstones and artifacts now displayed in the city’s museums.

Walking through these sites is like stepping into a living chronicle of resilience, scholarship, and community that once flourished in the heart of Catalonia.