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Jewish Heritage of Portugal 2-Day Private Driving & Walking Tour

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Paolo Scheffer

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Tours of Portugal

Tours

Jewish Heritage of Portugal 2-Day Private Driving & Walking Tour

Discover Portugal’s most important Jewish sights in 2 days The entire country of Portugal still retains remnants of what was once the largest Jewish population in the world after 1492. Today, the customs and influences of the Jewish people are still deeply infused in Portuguese culture. Traveling between Lisbon and Porto, we visit the most well-preserved and significant Jewish heritage sites. Along the way, there are picturesque stone villages, cultural diversions, and time to enjoy local foodstuffs while meeting locals and members of these remote Jewish communities, who have managed to survive over the centuries in secret. Day 1 Departing from Lisbon, we arrive at the village of Tomar to discover the best-preserved medieval Synagogue and Mikvah of Portugal. Built in 1430 for the thriving Jewish community that once existed here. Inside, we find an eclectic museum and ingenious ancient acoustic engineering. Our next stop is the riverfront town of Coimbra and the country's former capital. Here, we explore the narrow old streets of the former medieval Jewish quarter and the historic University of Coimbra. The university, founded in 1290 by King Dinis, is one of the oldest universities in the world. Here, you will learn about famous Portuguese Jewish scholars whose contributions laid the groundwork for the empire. The university is also renowned for its baroque library, the Biblioteca Joanina, which can be toured in place of the former Jewish quarter. After a lunch break, we arrive in Porto for a visit to the largest Synagogue in the Iberian Peninsula. Its construction was made possible by the heroic Captain de Barros Basto (often described as "The Dreyfuss of Portugal") and recently depicted in the historical, dramatic film "Sefarad." Day 2 From Porto, we head to the remote village of Trancoso, which is famous for its walls and doors adorned with stone carvings of New Christians, "Cristãos-novos" (forced converts after 1498). Nowadays, Trancoso’s Jewish and New Christian Heritage still lives in the preserved documents, local traditions, and architecture such as the Casa de Gato Preto House (Black Cat House), Poço do Mestre (Master’s Well), and many other dwellings. Inside the recently constructed Isaac Cardoso Jewish Cultural Center and Bandarra House, we discover the shoemaker, poet, and Portuguese Nostradamus who inspired Messianic thinking in Portuguese culture. We have a lunch break before exploring the famous village of Belmonte. A Jewish community that survived in secrecy for centuries by maintaining a tradition of endogamy and hiding all the external signs of their faith until they were discovered in the 20th century. Belmonte's Jewish community has a new synagogue and Jewish museum, Judaica shops, and kosher food items that have won gastronomy awards. Major Highlights Museu Luso-Hebraico de Abraão Zacuto: The Tomar Synagogue and Mikvah Museum. Tomar Jewish Quarter: Walk the cobbled streets of Tomar's former Jewish Quarter. Coimbra Biblioteca, or Jewish Quarter: Choose a visit to The Biblioteca Joanina or a walk through the medieval Jewish Quarter. Porto Jewish Quarter: A walk through the remains of Porto's small Jewish quarter. Kadoorie, Mekor H’aim- Fountain of Life Synagogue: The largest Synagogue in Iberia, with stunning decorative tiles. Trancoso: Walk the remote stone village with secret stone carvings of the Jews who were forced to convert. Beit Mayim Hayim - House of Living Waters: A modern synagogue housed inside the Isaac Cardoso Center for Jewish Interpretation. Belmonte Jewish Quarter: Visit old streets where the surviving Jewish community resides today. Beit Eliahu Synagogue: Built in 1998 for the surviving Jewish community of Belmonte. Museu Judaico, Centro do Estudos Judaicos Adriano Vasco Rodrigues: The small but important Belmonte Jewish Museum.

Tours

Jewish Lisbon Private Walking Tour

Experience the major sights of Lisbon from a Jewish perspective Join the only Jewish guide in Portugal and visit the major sights of historic Lisbon. Along the way, you will discover artifacts, inscriptions, and monuments that no other Jewish tour of Lisbon can access. In May of 2012, a sensational discovery by Archaeologists of Jena University revealed Hebrew inscriptions on a stone that points to the Jewish people residing in Portugal as early as 390 C.E. However, some Biblical Archaeologists believe that Tartessian texts found in Southern Portugal in 1922 suggest a Jewish presence dating to the time of King Solomon. Walking through the quaint side streets of Lisbon, your guide and historian will explain these recent findings and unveil hidden elements in the architecture, explaining the influence of great Jewish sages like Abravanel, a philosopher and statesman, and Abraham Zacuto, who altered the course of the Age of Discovery. Throughout history, the Jews of Portugal held social and political ranks in favor of kings and maintained conciliatory relations with both Muslims and Christians. However, these periods were equally marked by inquisitions, forced baptisms, and brutal massacres, which have been overlooked in many historical references. On this tour, you will discover the incredible story of Crypto-Jews (Cristão-Novos), a distinctive subgroup of Sephardim in Portugal who survived over 400 years of persecution in secret. At the site of the Inquisitor's Palace, discover little-known facts about the Portuguese Inquisition and the controversy surrounding the Marquis of Pombal, whose authority both destroyed Jewish heritage and saved lives. Discover from one of the scenic viewpoints over the city the deportation point during WWII, where thousands of Jewish refugees escaped Nazi persecution, among them famous names like Marc Chagall, Max Ernst, and many others who contributed to the arts, sciences, and politics of the world stage. Learn about Portugal’s own Oskar Schindler, a righteous gentile who is responsible for the single largest rescue mission of WWII, defying state orders to save thousands feeling the horrors of the 3rd Reich. Beyond the former Jewish quarters, stories and artifacts festooned around the city offer a deeper understanding of the Early Modern Diaspora, the Passover Massacre, Crypto-Jewish practices, and famous Jewish families associated with Portugal. _______________________________________________ Please be aware of other Jewish tours led by guides with similar-sounding names. There is only one authorized Jewish guide in Portugal, and he works exclusively with us here at Lisbon Explorer.

Tours

Jewish Lisbon

We start at the Shaarey Tikvah Synagogue – 1st synagogue built after the Inquisition (1536-1821) in Portugal by Moroccan & Gibraltar Jews who arrived in the late 1700’s, some of them descendants of the Portuguese & Spanish Jews who left the Iberian Peninsula after the Edicts of Expulsion (1496 and 1492, respectively). Walk through Bairro Alto Quarter till we get to a viewpoint for an extraordinary view over the Castle of Lisbon & the city centre. Today this neighbourhood is the heart of the night life with a high concentration of restaurants & bars. It started to be built in the early 1500's by a great part of Conversos who stayed in Portugal and continued their businesses with the trade. Continue to Baixa (Downtown) where we will reach the location of the Inquisition Court & Prison (today the National Theatre Queen Maria II). Around the corner, we will see the Memorial to the Victims of the Massacre in 1506. Walk through the former Main Jewish Quarter on the way to the Alfama Quarter (old city) to see the name of a street (Rua da Judiaria) where another Jewish Quarter was located. We will continue to the Commerce Square, where most of the Autos-de-Fé took place in Lisbon. We end at the City Hall Square to finish our walk through the 3 co-existing Guettos during the Medieval time up to the Edict of Expulsion, where a small Jewish Quarter was located (Judiaria Pequena).

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מדריכים בעיר CITY GUIDES

Guides

Paolo Scheffer

Experience the major sights of Lisbon from a Jewish perspective Join the only official guide in Portugal who is Jewish on a tour of the major sights of historic Lisbon. Along the way, you will discover artifacts, inscriptions, and monuments that no other Jewish tour of Lisbon can access. Guest testimonial “An Eye-Opening, Enlightening and Moving Touring Experience” We spent 2 of the most memorable days touring Lisbon with Paolo Scheffer of Lisbon Explorer Private Tours. The depth of knowledge this guide was able to share with us in a lucid and exciting manner is unmatched by tour guides we have been with previously. We came away from our two days with a new understanding of the history and geography of Lisbon and its environs. We laughed or we cried as Paolo walked us through thousands of years of peaks and troughs in the very complicated relationship of the rulers with the subjects. Paolo is extremely knowledgeable as well on the intricacies of the long history of Portugal's inquisition against anyone not willing to accept Christianity. A day or two with Paolo will transform you into a more tolerant and compassionate human being. Don't miss this opportunity! - Eilat, Israel, see this and other guest reviews on TripAdvisor

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Iris Hami September 23, 2024

Bar Mitzvah Destinations: Choosing the Perfect Location for a Luxury Family Celebration

More and more American families are opting to celebrate their childrens’ bar or bat mitzvahs in exotic foreign locations. A luxury bar mitzvah trip is a wonderful way to celebrate this milestone life event. It’s not only a great vacation and travel adventure, but is a special bonding opportunity for all the family and a chance for the kids to experience different cultures and meet members of other Jewish communities!

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🌍 Celebrating One Year of the Jewish Silk Road Portal

World Jewish Travel was thrilled at #IMTM 2024 to present a copy of the WJT Jewish Silk Road Pressbook to the CEO of the Azerbaijan National Tourism Board Florian Sengstschmid and Jamilya Talibzade its Israeli representative Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB).

The Pressbook celebrates the one year anniversary of the Jewish Silk Road Portal launch, an amazing example of using Jewish travel as a means of cultural diplomacy, whilst highlighting the significant Jewish contribution to the ancient trade route. Kudos to our participating partners from the Kiriaty Foundation (Turkey), National Board of Tourism of #Georgia, National Board of Tourism of #Uzbekistan, and Israeli Embassy of #India.

See the overwhelming reaction from the press, by downloading our free pressbook. Special thanks to Moshe Gilad of the @haaretzcom for highlighting this forgotten but important story in the Galeria section of the newspaper and available to download on WJT.

👉Link to WJT Jewsih Silk Rad Pressbook and more is in our bio

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🌍 Celebrating One Year of the Jewish Silk Road Portal

World Jewish Travel was thrilled at #IMTM 2024 to present a copy of the WJT Jewish Silk Road Pressbook to the CEO of the Azerbaijan National Tourism Board Florian Sengstschmid and Jamilya Talibzade its Israeli representative Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB).

The Pressbook celebrates the one year anniversary of the Jewish Silk Road Portal launch, an amazing example of using Jewish travel as a means of cultural diplomacy, whilst highlighting the significant Jewish contribution to the ancient trade route. Kudos to our participating partners from the Kiriaty Foundation (Turkey), National Board of Tourism of #Georgia, National Board of Tourism of #Uzbekistan, and Israeli Embassy of #India.

See the overwhelming reaction from the press, by downloading our free pressbook. Special thanks to Moshe Gilad of the @haaretzcom for highlighting this forgotten but important story in the Galeria section of the newspaper and available to download on WJT.

👉Link to WJT Jewsih Silk Rad Pressbook and more is in our bio

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Step into the soul-stirring Pesach traditions of Jerusalem virtually. Experience the resonating echoes of Birkat Kohanim🌿

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#VirtualTravel #JerusalemVibes #SpiritualJourney #JewishTravel #Isarel #BirkatKohanim #JewishJerusalem

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Step into the soul-stirring Pesach traditions of Jerusalem virtually. Experience the resonating echoes of Birkat Kohanim🌿

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#VirtualTravel #JerusalemVibes #SpiritualJourney #JewishTravel #Isarel #BirkatKohanim #JewishJerusalem

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Discover the enigmatic “Donkey Stable” in Jerusalem`s underground. Unveil the city`s secrets from home. 🌌

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#JerusalemUnderground #CitySecrets #ExploreHistory #JewishTravel #Israel #Travel #WesternWall

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Discover the enigmatic “Donkey Stable” in Jerusalem's underground. Unveil the city's secrets from home. 🌌

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#JerusalemUnderground #CitySecrets #ExploreHistory #JewishTravel #Israel #Travel #WesternWall

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🏰✨ Travel through time and faith without leaving home! Join on a virtual journey through Jerusalem’s Old City, a place where history and spirituality meet.

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#VirtualTour #Jerusalem #Passover
#easter #JewishTravel #Israel

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🏰✨ Travel through time and faith without leaving home! Join on a virtual journey through Jerusalem’s Old City, a place where history and spirituality meet.

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#VirtualTour #Jerusalem #Passover
#easter #JewishTravel #Israel

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🌟 This journey brings Jerusalem`s sites right to your screen. Don`t miss this opportunity to connect with the spirit of Jerusalem from home.🌿

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#VirtualJerusalem #HolyWeekAtHome #easter #jewishtravel #EasterTravel #virtualTour

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🌟 This journey brings Jerusalem's sites right to your screen. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with the spirit of Jerusalem from home.🌿

Link is in our bio✨

#VirtualJerusalem #HolyWeekAtHome #easter #jewishtravel #EasterTravel #virtualTour

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Embark on a virtual journey through the Holy Land🌿!
Join `Explore the Holy Land’ Virtual Journey, where ancient traditions come to life.

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#VirtualJourney #HolyLandExperience
#EasterVirtualTour #PassoverExperience
#JerusalemVirtual #Travel

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Embark on a virtual journey through the Holy Land🌿!
Join 'Explore the Holy Land’ Virtual Journey, where ancient traditions come to life.

Check our bio for the link💫

#VirtualJourney #HolyLandExperience
#EasterVirtualTour #PassoverExperience
#JerusalemVirtual #Travel

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