Jewish Sephardic history in Lisbon

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Please note the following: There are very few visible landmarks connected to Lisbon’s Jewish historical presence, as much of this part of the city was completely destroyed in the 1755 earthquake. For this reason, visitors will not find many surviving Jewish sites today. Most of the Lisbon we see now was rebuilt after 1755, with only a small number of buildings surviving the earthquake, tsunami, and subsequent fires. In addition, the centuries of the Holy Inquisition also contributed to the destruction or transformation of many Jewish symbols, sites, and locations. So, please do not expect to see monuments, or sites in Lisbon. During the tour, your guide will take you to the areas where Jewish communities once lived, providing historical context and explaining their significance on site.

   2 min

2. The start of the tour will be at the Shaare Tikva, Lisbon Synagogue, the 1st synagogue to be built in Portugal since the late 15th century. Learn the story of the Jewish community in Portugal (specially Lisbon) on this tour, visiting significant sites to the community in the Portuguese capital. Since the Jewish exodus from Egypt, and the journey through lands, countries, and continents as the ultimate nomads, they reached what is nowadays Portugal. Learn how communities appeared, disappeared, and reappeared; belonging everywhere and yet nowhere.

   45 minAdmission included

3. From the synagogue we walk through the Principe Real Park down to the Chiado neighborhood.

   15 min

4. In the Baixa neighborhood you will walk to the biggest square in Portugal, Terreiro do Paco, modernly known as Praca do Comercio. Here you will be explained a few very important situations that changed the history of Portugal.

   30 min

5. Walk to the center of the Holy Inquisition, the Rossio Square. Column of Pedro IV In the centre of Rossio Square sits the Column of Pedro IV of Portugal, known as “the Soldier King”. At the base of the pillar are four female figures that represent the King’s various qualities: Justice, Wisdom, Strength and Moderation. The D. Maria II National Theatre was founded in 1842, replacing the "Estaus Palace", that was headquarters of the Portuguese Inquisition since mid-fifteenth century.

   45 min

6. Passing by the sight of the April 19th, 1506 Lisbon Massacre, you will learn what happened and why. From this day, and during the next 3, more than 3000 "New Christians" where murdered in the streets only being stopped by the Kings Royal Army. The epicenter, being the Sao Domingo Church.

   15 min

7. Reaching Chiado, you will learn about a very famous Jewish writer and see one curiosity in the oldest bookstore of the world, since 1732, founded by Pedro Faure.

   15 minAdmission included

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 59 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Lisbon

• Its from-price is 59% below the median of the 4320 experiences we list in Lisbon.
• It is shorter than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 459 of 4320.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Lisbon

Lisbon spills down its hills to the Tagus estuary, a city of tiled façades, rattling yellow trams, viewpoint terraces and late, unhurried dinners.

The old quarters hold most of the charm. Alfama's tangle of lanes climbs to São Jorge Castle and echoes with fado in the evening, the Baixa's orderly grid runs down to the vast Praça do Comércio on the river, and Bairro Alto and Chiado mix bookshops and cafés by day with bars by night. Viewpoints such as Santa Luzia and Senhora do Monte frame red rooftops and shining water.

Top-ranked sights in Lisbon: Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio), Pena National Palace (Palacio Nacional da Pena), Alfama.

See all 4320 experiences in Lisbon