The oldest evidence that proves the passage of the Jewish community in Girona is a preserved document dating from the year 888 in which the presence of 25 families is mentioned for the first time. However, it was not until well into the twelfth century when this community really settled on Carrer de la For\u00e7a, formerly known as Carrer de Sant Lloren\u00e7. It was there where most of the families who lived around the Cathedral settled, forming a small community of up to 800 neighbors. On the other hand, several places in Catalonia also received the first aljama, such as Barcelona (1244), Castell\u00f3n de Ampurias, Besal\u00fa, Figueras, Banyoles or Torroella de Montgr\u00ed.<\/p>\n
Over time, their economic solvency and acquisition of real estate made the Christians uncomfortable, as they could no longer live off their rents. This fact caused the Christians to confront the monarchs of the time, who accepted the presence of Jews, charged them high taxes and in exchange offered them protection. In Girona the community had an extension of virgin land in the north of the city, at least since 1207, specifically in Montju\u00efc (mount of the Jews), where they could bury their deceased, properties located in Ballesteries street, al Mercadell (space currently occupied by the Pia Almoina building), and in the pseudo-industrial area of Mercadal, where they had rights over several mills.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”center”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” centered_text=”true” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][nectar_single_testimonial testimonial_style=”small_modern” image=”1205″ color=”Default” quote=”The narrow and wet stone streets that Gerona preserves allow us to delve into the city’s Jewish past.”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner content_placement=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_phone=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”left-right” column_element_spacing=”default” centered_text=”true” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” enable_animation=”true” animation=”fade-in-from-bottom” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n
The last decades of Jewish presence in Girona were characterized by the strong pressure to which the community was subjected: they were not allowed to live outside their neighborhood, and if they went out, they had to identify themselves with a red circle. From that centenary legacy remains the current Jewish Quarter of Girona, one of the best preserved in Europe with the economic collaboration of the State of Israel.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”2581″ animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” margin_top=”40″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” top_margin=”40″ top_margin_tablet=”40″ top_margin_phone=”40″ column_element_spacing=”30px” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_custom_heading text=”Museum of Jewish History” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%234c4c4c” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1622837344362{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text]\n