At the end of the 15th century the Jewish quarter of Tudela could have almost a thousand inhabitants. It was precisely at that time when the massive exile and conversion of the Jews who did not want to leave their homes took place, adopting new names and surnames. But almost seven centuries of legacy give for much more. Enjoy an authentic Jewish route through Tudela.

We propose a walk through the old Jewish quarters Vétula and Nueva that will allow the traveler to be splashed with constant evocations of a time when the Hebrews populated the city. Today they are, without a doubt, an obligatory and surprising itinerary, which will allow to know a good part of the historical city through its Jewish legacy.

VETULA JEWRY

We begin our journey along the streets Hortelanos, Fuente del Obispo and Plaza de la Judería, which formed the primitive Jewish quarter to the southeast of the city walls, very close to the river Queiles. Taking a few minutes to stroll through this part of the heart of the historic center of the city will give us an idea of what the neighborhood was like, where there were up to three synagogues.
The narrow Calle Cortadores leading to the heart of the Old Town

Narrow alleys, high, cornered adobe and brick houses and facades that remind us of Mudejar decoration stretch out before us on our journey to the streets of San Julián, Dombriz or Benjamín de Tudela. The most illustrious traveler of his time could not miss this appointment. Thanks to his "Book of Travels", originally published in Constantinople, we have been able to know first hand what daily life was like in the 12th century.
Detail of the tiles of Benjamin de Tudela Street and the bust that presides over the Plaza de la Judería.

Once arrived at this point, we will cross the arch of Benjamin Street to continue our walk through the Plaza de la Vida to Portal Street and continue on route to the Judería Nueva.

NEW JEWISH QUARRY

It was the King of Navarre, Sancho VI the Wise, who promoted the development of this new neighborhood, which for a time coexisted with the previous one. A very peculiar structure that we can walk through and that was then sheltered by the castle, extends from two parallel axes formed by San Miguel Street and Paseo del Castillo.
Cortapelaires Street, in the Judería Nueva, was one of the areas of expansion due to population growth.