place · L0257

Girona גירונה

Catalonian city whose Jewish quarter (the Call) produced a disproportionate share of Sefarad's masters: the Ramban ("of Girona"), Rabbeinu Yonah, the Baal HaMaor's birthplace, and the kabbalistic circle that first taught Kabbalah openly in Spain.

I. Who

Hebrew
גירונה
Also known as
Gerona

III. Where

Modern location
Girona, Catalonia, Spain

V. How do we know

ClaimEvidenceConfidenceSources
Girona's medieval Jewish community, centered on the Call, was among Catalonia's most important, and the city was a principal center of early Kabbalah in the thirteenth century. external ★★★★☆
The Ramban (Moshe ben Nachman "Gerondi") led its community and is its most famous son; Zerachiah HaLevi (the Baal HaMaor) was born there before his career in Provence. tradition external ★★★★☆

Referenced by: Ramban, The Ran, Zerachiah HaLevi