About Us
Awakening Jewish Heritage in Barcelona
Toldot (תּוֹלְדוֹת) in Hebrew meaning generations, stories, and the unfolding of a lineage. It expresses the heart of our mission: sharing the Jewish heritage of Barcelona, recovering forgotten voices, and bringing to life the stories of the medieval Jewish community that once shaped the city.
Through our Jewish history tours, Sephardic cultural activities, and educational programs, we reconnect visitors and locals with more than a thousand years of Jewish presence in Catalonia.
Toldot reminds us that heritage is not only something we inherit — it is something we continue, renew, and pass on.
Casa Adret is a 12th-century palace house in the heart of Barcelona’s old call, the medieval Jewish quarter. Once home to the Jewish-Catalan merchant Astruc Adret, who was forced to convert after the 1391 pogrom, the building still preserves rare signs of Jewish life, including medieval murals, Romanesque columns, and traces of mezuzot.
Founded in 2017, Casa Adret acts as a center for Jewish culture and heritage, hosting events, educational programs, gastronomic experiences, and community projects. It also serves as a hub for organizations such as the AEPJ, Mozaika, the institute of Jewish studies and LABA.
Every tour directly supports Casa Adret, our medieval Jewish hub and cultural center in the heart of Barcelona’s old Jewish quarter. By choosing Toldot, you can take part in sustaining Casa Adret’s restoration, programming, and community-based heritage initiatives
Casa Adret
Casa Adret
Located in the heart of the old call (Jewish quarter) of Barcelona, this 12th century palace-house stands as a tribute to its last Jewish owner, the Jewish-Catalan merchant Astruc Adret, who was forced to convert to Christianity after the pogrom of 1391. An architectural gem, refurbished by award-winning architects Elías Torres and José Antonio Martínez Lapeña, this unique space boasts ancient murals, Romanesque columns, and traces of mezuzot - a rare find in Barcelona. Entering its walls is a shortcut to the Middle Ages.
Casa Adret was founded in 2017 and serves as a melting pot of history, community, research and hub for several organizations including the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage (AEPJ). Casa Adret is used to host cultural events, conferences, gastronomic experiences, educational programs, and much more. The space is now accessible to both to Jews and non-Jews living in and visiting Barcelona, and aims to promote and explore the richness and diversity of Jewish culture, thought, and tradition, bringing Jewish life back to the call.
Why Toldot?
Toldot collaborates with various public and private institutions in multiple projects aimed at highlighting and preserving the Jewish heritage that Barcelona and Catalonia proudly possess. Our initiatives encompass a diverse range of activities, from archival research to guided tours, all designed to foster a deeper understanding of the significant role played by the Jewish community in shaping the cultural tapestry of this region.
We are passionate advocates for the exploration and preservation of Jewish heritage in Barcelona. Our mission goes beyond showcasing the beauty of the city
Mozaika
Toldot Barcelona was born as a branch of Mozaika, the local Jewish cultural platform dedicated to strengthening community, education, and historical awareness. From this foundation, Toldot grew into a project deeply committed to preserving and revitalizing Sephardic and Catalan Jewish memory. A creative way to further enrich Mozaika's legacy
Mozaika was founded in 2009 by a group of young, passionate individuals who had a vision to create a platform to share a greater knowledge and understanding of Jewish culture. From art, philosophy, music and literature, this seed has grown into a frame of cultural events, publications, education, annual magazines and SEFER, Barcelona’s first (and only) Jewish literature festival. In 2017, Mozaika founded the Casa Adret project, with the aim to bring back Jewish culture and life to the old neighbourhood.