There are many protagonists in the long millennia of Palermo’s history, and among them, the Jewish community played a key role.
Around the year 1000, just beyond the southern city walls along the banks of the river Kemonia, the Jews established their own suburb: the so-called Hârat al Yahûd - the district of the Jews. This vibrant quarter, divided into the Mesquita and Guzzetta, remained active until 1492, when the edict of expulsion forced all Jews to leave Sicily. In the centuries that followed, the construction of Via Maqueda and Via Roma led to the demolition of much of the old Giudecca - a maze of alleys, courtyards, orchards, and gardens - though visible traces still remain.
Our private walking tour invites you to retrace this layered past. We begin in Palermo’s historic Kalsa district, once part of the Jewish quarter, and visit Palazzo Chiaramonte, former seat of the Inquisition. The experience continues with a visit to the miqveh (the ritual purification bath) and other ancient remains marking the perimeter of the former synagogue complex.
This immersive journey reveals the enduring charm and historical depth of a community whose legacy still speaks through the stones and streets of the city.
