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Jewish Lisbon
Lisbon Shore Excursions - Jewish Lisbon


 



This 4 Hour Private Shore Excursion Includes:
  • Pick up from your Hotel or the Port of Lisbon
  • Private Licensed English Speaking Guide
  • Round Trip Transportation in Private Vehicle
  • Included Interior Visits- Lisbon Synagogue
Please Note: The Synagogue is closed Friday, Saturday and Sundays. It is possible to enjoy this tour on those days, but an interior visit to the Synagogue is not included. The prices shown below are not valid on Weekends or local National Holidays. If your only day in this city is Saturday or Sunday, please Contact Us for pricing and availability.

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Tour Number:
PLISB-04

Contact us for larger groups



Group Size (Prices in USD)*:
2 People - $362 Per Person (Private Tour)
3 People - $246 Per Person (Private Tour)
4 People - $230 Per Person (Private Tour)
5 People - $188 Per Person (Private Tour)
6 People - $158 Per Person (Private Tour)
7 People - $140 Per Person (Private Tour)
8 People - $125 Per Person (Private Tour)



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TOUR NOT AVAILABLE
TOUR DESCRIPTION
 

Lisbon Shore Excursion

This Lisbon shore trip is for those who wish to learn about the history of Jews living in Lisbon over the centuries. You visit the main Synagogue of Lisbon as well as the Old Jewish Quarter while learning about the long history of Jews in Lisbon.

Jewish people have been in Lisbon since the Middle Ages. However, in 1497 King Manuel I ordered the Jews to convert to Christianity or leave the country. Shortly after this, all synagogues were taken away from the Jewish people and given to Christian groups. Those who did convert to Catholicism were called New Christians. However the Portuguese Inquisition of 1536 brought continued persecution.

In the 1800s the inquisition was abolished and Sephardi Jews from Morocco began to come to Lisbon. As the Jewish community grew there became a need for a synagogue. In 1904 the Shaare Tikva (Gates of Hope) Synagogue was opened, thanks to the donations of the Jewish people and the work of architect Ventura Terra. Due to laws at the time, the main facade faces an interior courtyard. The facade shows a mixture of several motifs from different styles including Neo-Byzantine and Neo-Romanesque. Your tour includes a visit to the interior of the Synagogue where you see paintings from Veloso Salgado as well as a magnificent silver lamp by Cristofanetti.

Next you visit Rossio, the name for one of Lisbon's most popular squares and the place where the condemned were burned during the Inquisition. Then you visit the Marquees of Pombal Square where you see the column with the statue of the Marquees who was of Jewish origin. He ordered the end of the distinction between New Christians and Old Christians while he was Prime Minister.

Your guide will also explain the history of the Pessah massacre in 1506 and how Portugal welcomed Jews during WWII and the Holocaust. In fact, many Jews from Eastern Europe were granted resident citizenship and many more entry visas which then allowed them to travel to the Americas.

You finish your Lisbon shore excursion in Alfama, one of Lisbon's oldest quarters where you enjoy a walk along narrow cobbled stone streets of the Old Jewish Quarter.

If you cannot find what you are looking for, our Lisbon tours and Lisbon shore excursions can also be customized to fit your needs. If you have a larger group, we can offer you a private Lisbon shore trip using a mid-size bus or full size coach. Please contact us with any questions or to receive a customized quote.
Shore Trip Timing is approximate based on your interests & traffic
  • Meet Guide and drive to City Center – 15 Minutes
  • Visit Synagogue – 45 Minutes
  • Visit Famous Monuments / Squares – 1 Hour and 45 Minutes
  • Visit Alfama Quarter – 1 Hour
  • Return to Pier – 15 Minutes