Getting to know Jewish Lisbon
Today we're going to get to know Jewish Lisbon. I accepted an invitation from Andreia Salvado of Oui Go Lisbon, a company that organizes tours based on historical novels. Based on Richard Zimler's book, "The Last Cabalist of Lisbon", we're going to discover the Lisbon of 1506 and the Jewish references that are part of the city.
Although the tour is based on the book, reading it is not essential for those who want to do the tour. For example, I hadn't read it, but the tour aroused my curiosity and I believe the same thing happens to those who take the tour without having read the book. Some people who did the tour and had already read the book told me that they reread it before the tour, others said they were going to read it again. So I'm sure the same will happen to you. As soon as the tour was over, I went in search of a bookstore. And I didn't rest until I started reading it.
Do you have any idea what I'm talking about?
How many of you have passed by Lisbon's Largo de São Domingos and noticed the Star of David? Do you know what this monument refers to? It's the monument in memory of the Jews murdered during the 3 days of April, Easter 1506. The monument is near the Church of São Domingos, in the square of the same name.
Historical background
We are in 16th century Lisbon, where there is profound social inequality. There is plague, drought and famine. The Church imposed the Catholic religion, and many Jews were forced to convert to Christianity in order to survive, the so-called New Christians. The Jewish community was self-sufficient and lived within the Jewish quarters, the large Jewish quarter and the small Jewish quarter.
The friars of the Church of St. Domingues incited the population to violence against the Jews, blaming them for misfortunes such as drought, famine and plague. It was an act of intolerance, fanaticism and greed. It is estimated that between 2,000 and 4,000 Jews were massacred along the route from Largo da Igreja de São Domingos to Alfama.
The Tour
The tour lasts about two hours and we learn where the Jewish quarters were located. The Great Jewish Quarter, between Rua da Prata and Rua dos Fanqueiros. And the Small Jewish Quarter, between the Church of São Nicolau and the Church of Madalena. The route ends exactly on the steps of the Church of São Miguel, where we took the group photo, and which according to the novel is close to the house where the book's protagonist lived. The Jewish Museum is due to be built in Largo de São Miguel, but its construction work has been halted due to protests from residents.
Our guide, Andreia Salvado, is a teacher and researcher who initially designed this route to explain to her students the tragic events that began in the place where the tour starts. Before we start, we are given a map on which the route we are going to take is marked.
Who can take part?
Basically anyone who wants to learn and walk around, and who can manage a two-hour walk through the streets of Lisbon.
We are given a historical background to the entire route, which includes the journey narrated in the book by its protagonist Berequias Zarco.
What do I need to take part?
- Sign up for the ride - Well, first of all, you need to book your place on the tour by sending me an e-mail, which I leave in the information box of the Practical Guide, at the end of the post. (Indispensable)
- Comfortable shoes and clothes (Advisable)
- Willingness to walk (Indispensable)
- Good mood (Advisable)
- Bottle of water (Advisable)
- Hat (sunny in summer and rainy in winter) (Advisable)
- Camera (Advisable)
To Participate all you really need to do is sign up, everything else I mention are tips that I think are important to make your trip more enjoyable.
I hope you enjoyed it, have a nice walk and see you next time.
I leave you with PRACTICAL GUIDE with all the information you need if you want to take the tour. Did you know about this episode in our history? Tell me all about it in the comments.
Practical Guide:
Meeting point: Largo de São Domingos, next to the Star of David. In Lisbon. Portugal
How to get there Metro - Restauradores Station - blue line
Tour: "Getting to know Jewish Lisbon"
Tour description: Visit, Jewish Lisbon: based on the novel by R. Zimler, The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon. A 2-hour tour takes you through the Jewish quarters of 15th century Lisbon and recreates the massacre of 1506.
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