Catalonia is a land of history, traditions and legends; of narrow alleys where time seems to have stood still. Its cities, marked by centuries of coexistence and conflict, preserve not only an impressive architectural legacy, but also an intangible heritage of stories passed down through generations. In Girona, one of the best-preserved medieval centres in Europe, legends intertwine with reality in every corner of its old town.
Within the walls of the old call jueu —Girona’s Jewish quarter— the name of Tolrana is still whispered, a restless spirit said to have roamed the city in times past. This enclave still echoes with her memory in names, symbols and stories such as the one we explore today: that of a ghostly figure who, according to legend, spread terror among the residents with her inexplicable presence.
We encourage you to venture into its streets to discover this mysterious story first-hand. Travel to Girona with the low-cost and sustainable shared transfer services and private transfer services offered by Shuttle2Sun from Barcelona Airport, Barcelona Port, Reus Airport, Girona Airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
The Call of Girona and the legacy of the Jewish community
The Call of Girona is one of the most evocative medieval Jewish neighbourhoods in Catalonia. Located in the heart of the old town, this network of narrow streets, cobbled passageways and hidden courtyards offers visitors a direct journey into the past. For centuries, it was home to a prosperous Jewish community that left a deep mark on the history, culture and intellectual development of the city.
Between the 11th and 15th centuries, Girona was home to one of the most important Jewish communities in the Crown of Aragon. Life in the Call revolved around the synagogue, the ritual baths (mikveh), the schools and the houses of study, where a rich culture flourished despite hardship and persecution.
The expulsion of the Jews in 1492 marked the end of this coexistence and the beginning of a long silence. However, the legacy of that community still lives on in the stones of the call, in the names that have endured and in the collective memory of Girona.
Today, walking through this neighbourhood is much more than an exercise in historical tourism: it is an invitation to recognise and appreciate a cultural heritage that was essential in shaping the city and Catalan identity itself.
The legend of Tolrana: a soul in torment in the heart of the Call
Among the many mysteries surrounding the Call of Girona, one of the oldest and most haunting is that of Tolrana, a wandering spirit who, according to popular tradition, still roams the narrow streets of the Jewish quarter. This legend is part of Girona’s collective imagination and contributes to the aura of mystery that characterises this part of the city.
Shuttle2Sun offers low-cost and sustainable shared transfer services and private transfer services to Girona from Barcelona Airport, Barcelona Port, Reus Airport, Girona Airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
Who was Tolrana?
The legend of Tolrana is one of the most moving and darkest stories of the Call of Girona — a lasting echo of a time of intolerance, persecution and spiritual resilience. According to oral tradition, Tolrana, also known as Torana, was a Jewish woman who lived in the heart of the Jewish quarter during the Late Middle Ages, in the years leading up to the expulsion of the Jews in 1492. Her name derives from her devotion to the Torah, the holy book of Judaism, to which she clung steadfastly even in the most desperate moments.
During the pogroms and sieges that shook many Jewish communities on the Iberian Peninsula, Girona was no exception. It is said that, in a particularly violent episode, Christian troops stormed the call with the aim of looting and destroying it.
Some 800 people were locked up in the Gironella Tower, including Tolrana and her husband. Eventually, the woman was found decapitated. Some theories claim that she decided to end her life, while others suggest that she was murdered for refusing to convert.
The Gironella Tower, an enclave shrouded in mystery
Located at the highest point of Girona’s Roman wall, the Gironella Tower is much more than a defensive structure: it is a symbol steeped in history and legend. This ancient bastion was part of the city’s fortified enclosure and was, for centuries, a key strategic point due to its dominant position over the old town.
From the top of the tower, one can enjoy privileged views of the Jewish quarter, the cathedral and the medieval surroundings of Girona, it is also the setting for numerous local legends. Among them, the one that links it to the ghost of Tolrana stands out, whose tragic story is intertwined with this building.
Today, the Gironella Tower stands as a silent testimony to the city’s turbulent past, shrouded in mystery, making it one of the most evocative corners of Girona’s heritage.
The ghost of Tolrana, in the streets of Girona
Since then, her figure has become legendary. Her spirit is said to still haunt the Jewish quarter at dusk, like a whisper that evokes courage, pain and memory. Some claim to have heard her lament in the narrow streets or in the shadowy courtyards.
Tolrana is not a spectre of terror, but an apparition that symbolises fidelity to principles and inner strength in the face of injustice. Her story reminds us that the ancient stones of the Call hold not only history, but also the traces of those who defended their identity to the end.
Between reality and legend, Tolrana remains a symbol of the Jewish soul of Girona, still alive in every corner of its old quarter. Remember that with Shuttle2Sun‘s low-cost and sustainable shared transfer services and private transfer services, you can travel to the city from Barcelona Airport, Barcelona Port, Reus Airport, Girona Airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
