El Call (Jewish Quarter of Girona)
An hour to walk it properly, and best early before the groups. Pair it with the cathedral and the wall walk, which is the best thing in Girona and costs nothing.
Medieval lanes that were never rebuilt, and the story of the community expelled from them in 1492.
At a Glance
- — Steps are difficult for you; the quarter is steep
Girona's Call was one of the most important Jewish communities in medieval Spain, and its lanes survive almost intact: steep steps, arched passages, courtyards and the last synagogue, now a museum, compressed into a few hundred metres of hillside. It is the most atmospheric place in Girona and the reason the city is more than a cathedral.
How it got here
Jewish residents lived in these stone quarters from the late ninth century until the Edict of Expulsion in 1492. The community thrived under the protection of the Crown of Aragon, contributing to the intellectual and economic life of the city while maintaining autonomy through their own communal institutions. The narrow, interconnected alleys and stone staircases record a dense medieval urban life focused around the synagogue, which provided a center for prayer and study. After the forced conversion or departure of the Jewish population, the quarter saw its properties absorbed into the broader city structure, though the physical layout of the walled district escaped total redevelopment.
Where it sits
The district clings to the western slope of the Onyar river valley, where stone houses rise sharply toward the cathedral. Access involves climbing uneven granite steps that snake between high, narrow walls. In spring, dampness clings to the mortar, while the intense heat of a Catalan summer forces life into the shaded corridors. The quarter stays quiet during the winter months, yet the proximity to the main transit lines connecting Barcelona to the French border ensures a steady movement of people throughout the year. The verticality of the terrain creates a distinct microclimate, sheltering the lower lanes from the biting tramontana winds.
What to eat and drink
Girona cuisine draws from the produce of the Empordà plains and the mountainous interior. Butifarra dolça, a pork sausage flavored with cinnamon and lemon peel, acts as a staple ingredient in local stews. Suquet de peix provides the traditional preparation of firm white fish simmered with a sofrito of tomatoes, garlic, and fried almonds. Accompany these plates with a glass of Empordà D.O. wine, specifically a robust red made from Garnacha or Cariñena grapes. For dessert, xuixos, deep-fried cylindrical pastries filled with crema catalana and coated in coarse sugar, provide a sweet finish to a meal rooted in local orchards.
Catalonia: the whole region
Barcelona is the anchor and most trips never leave it, which is a mistake but not a fatal one: Girona, Tarragona and the Costa Brava's coves are all within two hours by train or a short drive, and the Empordà behind them holds the best…
Minimum 4 days · better 7-8 days · deep 2 weeks
In Catalonia
In Catalonia
In Catalonia
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Experiences worth booking ahead
- Girona & Dali Museum Small Group Tour with Pick-up from Barcelona4.9 (3,425)10 hrsFrom €99
- Girona & Costa Brava Small-Group Tour with Pickup from Barcelona4.9 (8,452)10 hrsFrom €99
- Montserrat, Girona & Costa Brava Guided Day Trip from Barcelona4.9 (7,459)11.5 hrsFrom €85
- Montserrat, Girona & Costa Brava Small Group Tour with Pick-up4.9 (793)11 hrsFrom €110
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