2-Hour Private Walking Tour Through Palma’s Jewish Quarter
Description
Your private guide will take you to the must-see sites of the city center. We will visit the statue of Jafuda ben Cresques, a 14th century Jewish cartographer who made the world-famous Catalan Atlas map that Christopher Columbus might have used in his travels. We will walk down Leather Maker Street and learn about the old bakery named Can Miquel that up until recently was still in use and is known to be built on the site of the “sinagoga nova” or the “new synagogue.” We will discuss the many secret traditions that the Crypto-Jews maintained to keep their faith alive as best as possible, even under the ever-watchful eyes of the Inquisition.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We will be able to visit the statue of Jafuda ben Cresques, a 14th century Jewish cartographer who made the world-famous Catalan Atlas map that Christopher Columbus might have used in his travels. We will walk down Leather Maker Street and learn about the old bakery named Can Miquel that up until recently was still in use and is known to be built on the site of the “sinagoga nova” or the “new synagogue.” We will look for signs and clues hidden within the walls and street names that reference a once prominent Jewish past. Together we will admire a mural that was recently painted during the pandemic highlighting a well-documented history of lust and conflict that took place between two Jews in the Tower of Love during the 1300s. We will also visit the site of the main synagogue where the Montesion Church now stands and walk down the Street of the Wind where you may find something surprising.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(77)
Our tour led by Juan was superb. While the tour was packed with great stories, historical information, and in-depth discussion, we didn’t feel rushed at all. We saw (and were given the opportunity to discover) many fascinating Jewish sites and these were presented in a detailed and dynamic manner. We discussed stories within the context of contemporary Jewish culture and dilemmas and Mallorcan/ European Jewry while also incorporating the history of Jews in Mallorca and the Spanish mainland. There is of course a lot of tragedy in this history but we left with reasons for hope. While the tour was mid-day in the August heat we stayed comfortable because we were almost always in the shade and toured “Wind Street” and other breezy spots and there was enough time for water breaks. This was an extraordinary experience for my family (including our twin 13 year old kids who were riveted and had lots of opportunities to ask questions). I highly recommend this tour and also recommend watching the excellent documentary “Xueta Island” beforehand.
Thank you so very much! We are so happy that it was a positive and memorable experience! We hope to receive you again in other parts of Spain and Portugal and beyond! Please do stay in touch!
I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this ended up being one of my favorite experiences in Palma. Diti has an incredible depth of knowledge and such a genuine passion for sharing the history of the Jewish community. We learned so much, and she brought the history and the city to life in a way we never could have experienced on our own. I can’t recommend this tour enough!
Thank you so very much Jayme! We are so happy that you enjoyed the experience thoroughly! Thank you for recommending us in the future!
We had a wonderful experience touring with Zohar! We learned so much about Mallorca’s Jewish history and got to see remnants of it throughout Palma that we never would have noticed otherwise. Highly recommend!
Thank you so much for your review! We hope to welcome you back again soon!
This was the best tour I “ever” took. Juan enthusiastic and knowledge of the history of the Mallorca Jewish made me want more. I did not want this tour to end. I would not hesitate to book this tour.
Thank you so very much! We are so happy that you enjoyed and hope that we can bring our documentary film to your home community as well!
Our tour was excellent and our guide Juan was perfect. Knowledgeable, funny, and super accommodating. I recommend this tour highly
We are so very happy that you enjoyed! Please do share the story with others so more can learn about the island's fascinating history!
Excelent and Cristina very good guide!!!
We are so very happy that you enjoyed your time with Cristina! Please do share the story with others so more can learn about the island's fascinating history!
We booked the 2-hr tour on our first day in Pulma, which not only gave us a perspective on the Jewish community in Mallorca but also helped orient us to the city. Noa was a terrific guide and connected us in a meaningful way to an important piece of Jewish history. We were glad to help keep the stories of Mallorcas Conversos and Xuetas alive.
We are so very happy that you enjoyed your time with Noa! Please do share the story with others so more can learn about the island's fascinating history!
This was a very special way to see Palma Mallorca especially during Passover. We were fascinated by the Jewish history and learned more about the Jews of Spain. Noa was a great guide and teacher. She was knowledgeable and connected us with important history.
Thank you so much for joining us in Mallorca! We are so happy to have shared such a special tour with you during a special time of the year for us!
A very authoritative and well-organized tour by Shaul. As the sites themselves have long been destroyed, the detailed recounting of the fascinating history was the most intriguing part. Being in the actual locations where the history took place definitely made it feel real, though.
We are so very happy that you enjoyed with Shaul! Please do share the story with others so more can learn about the island's fascinating history!
Noa introduced us to the rich history of the Jews of Mallorca within the old city of Palma, some of the other Belaric Islands, and Spain. Her guided tour through the former Call Major of Palma, helped us understand the life of the Jewish community, and the Xuetes (descendants of Palma’s forced Jewish converts to Christianity). Detecting traces of Jewish life in Palma would have been extremely challenging without her insight and guidance.
We are so very happy that you enjoyed with Noa! Please do share the story with others so more can learn about the island's fascinating history!
