The Jewish quarter, situated in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, Spain, was the heart of the city’s Jewish community from the 7th to 14th centuries. Initially, small numbers of Jews arrived in Barcelona after 70 CE, seeking refuge from Roman repression during the First Jewish-Roman War. By 1079, the Jewish population numbered around 70 families.
The quarter, known as El Call, consisted of narrow streets like Carrer del Call, Carrer de Sant Domènec del Call, Carrer Marlet, and Arc de Sant Ramón del Call. During its golden age, medieval Barcelona was approximately 15% Jewish, with most of the 4,000 Jews residing in this quarter. They contributed significantly as doctors, scientists, merchants, and money lenders for the Catalan aristocracy.
However, the situation worsened in the 14th and 15th centuries due to famines, the Black Death, and anti-Semitic violence. The Jewish quarter suffered during the pogroms of 1391, leading to the tragic loss of lives
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