The Jewish quarter, the synagogue and the mikveh

What it is

The call of Besalú is the old Jewish quarter of the town, beside the river Fluvià and a few steps from the fortified bridge. The Jewish community lived here during the Middle Ages and occupied part of the historic centre for more than five centuries. Two pieces remain that justify the visit: the mikveh, the ritual purification bath, and the excavated remains of the synagogue.

The mikveh was found by chance in 1964. It is an underground room in Romanesque style, with a stone vault and a staircase that goes down to the pool where the immersion took place. Turisme Garrotxa presents it as one of the best preserved in Europe and one of the three found on the peninsula. Between 2002 and 2005 the synagogue it was attached to was excavated, with the prayer room, the courtyard and the school. It all lies on today's plaça dels Jueus, which works as a small open-air museum, with the gateway to the call and a viewpoint over the town's façade to the river.

How to visit

The square and the viewpoint are open and can be seen independently. The inside of the mikveh can only be visited with the guides from the tourist office, on carrer del Pont, at the entrance to the bridge. The office runs guided visits all year:

• Un passeig pel Call: the visit to the Jewish quarter, with the mikveh and the synagogue.
• Descobreix el Besalú Medieval: the full visit of the town, at weekends at 12:00, 75 minutes, €5 per person.
• Entre pedres i cavallers: on Saturdays at 12:00, free, with information and theatre.
• Dramatised night visits: on Wednesdays in July and August, in Catalan.

Times and prices change by season and the office reserves the right to alter them. Places are limited: book by phone or email before you go, especially at weekends and in summer.

How long and when to go

The visit to the call takes between half an hour and forty minutes; with the rest of the town, the full visit comes to an hour and a quarter. On weekdays outside summer there are fewer people and the mikveh is easier to see. Two dates in the calendar are tied to the call: in early March, the historical re-enactment Besalú, Ciutat Jueva, and the European Days of Jewish Culture, when the mikveh opens with activities.

Getting there and parking

The old town has regulated traffic: only residents may park inside. Leave the car outside, for example in the Pont Vell car park that the Town Council indicates, and walk in: the tourist office is at the entrance to the bridge. Without a car, the TEISA bus links Besalú with Girona and Olot.

Accessibility and with children

The mikveh is underground and reached by stone steps: it is not accessible for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The plaça dels Jueus can be seen from above. With children it works if they are old enough to follow an explanation; the youngest enjoy the Saturday dramatised visit more.

Complete the visit

From the call, go up to plaça de la Llibertat and carry on to the Sant Pere monastery. For lunch, Curia Reial is in a medieval building on plaça de la Llibertat, and the Restaurant Pont Vell, at the foot of the bridge. If you stay the night, the Hotel Casa Marcial is next to the call.