Lisbon's Jewish History

Lisbon's Jewish History
Price: $35.00
Ages 5 and under are free.
Choose Options My Cruise Itinerary
Sorry, this excursion is not available for purchase.
Summary
Shore Excursion Size ? Small
Shore Excursion Type Cultural, Walking, Scenic
Shore Excursion Duration 2 Hours
Activity Level ? Moderate
Shore Excursion Leaves From ? An approximately 10 or 20 minute taxi ride (not included, approximately 6 EUR or 10 EUR each way, depending on where you are docked) is required to reach your departure location.
Food/Beverage Provided Pastry tasting
Recommended Dress We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and sensible, flat-soled walking shoes. Sunscreen and sunglasses are also recommended. For those wishing to visit any churches, remember that shoulders and knees must be covered.
Restrictions Please advise us at the time of booking if you'll be bringing a child under the age of 6. Guests must be able to walk over cobblestones and uneven surfaces, inclines and steps. This tour is not wheelchair accessible.

Your historical adventure begins at the Martim Moniz Square, where you will meet your expert local guide for one of the most incredible walking tours of Lisbon that delves into the city's rich Jewish history. After a brief introduction, you will learn about how the Jewish presence in the territory started even before Portugal became a country when there were four Jewish quarters in Lisbon. As the country began to grow in the 12th century, so did the Jewish community, eventually becoming the intellectual and economic elite, essential to the Age of Discoveries, a time that changed the world and started right here in Lisbon.

Next, you will follow your guide to Sao Domingos Square and learn how the relationship between the Jewish community and the royal family and what led to the Jewish Massacre in Lisbon of 1506. From there, you will continue to Rossio Square, where the persecution by the Holy Inquisition began. Our Lisbon city walk will then take you to Baixa Pombalina, where you will break to snack on one of the most beloved pastries in the country, one that was brought to Lisbon by a World War II-era Jewish refugee family.

After that sweet interval, you will continue to see where one of the city's Jewish quarters and cemeteries were found and then stroll onward to reach the oldest part of the city: the neighborhood of Alfama. This is where you can see the remains of the last Jewish quarter and get a better understanding of how the community lived.

From there, you will make your way to your last stop, Lisbon's main square. On the way, you will learn about the slow return of the Jewish community to Portugal, and how a Portuguese consul became Righteous Among the Nations (a term for non-Jews who took risks to save Jews during the Holocaust), for disobeying official orders during the Second World War.

Before you go, make sure to ask your local guide for tips on where to eat, drink and shop during the rest of your time in Lisbon. Your tour ends at Praca do Comercio, Central Lisbon.