Donna Gracia, known as the "Gracious Lady" by Portuguese poet Samuel Usque, was one of medieval Europe's wealthiest and most influential women. Born Beatrice de Luna Gracia Nasi, her life was marked by resilience and extraordinary leadership. Fleeing the Spanish Inquisition, she journeyed from Spain to Portugal, Amsterdam, Venice, Ferrara, and finally found refuge in Istanbul. Her vast trading fleet made her a formidable commerce figure and was crucial in negotiating peace between the Venetian Republic and the Ottoman Empire.
In Tiberias, Donna Gracia’s impact was nothing short of transformative. As a benefactor of the city, she funded the construction of its walls, supported the establishment of synagogues, and initiated silk production, laying the foundation for Tiberias’ remarkable economic revival. Under her patronage, the city experienced a golden era of prosperity. Her influence was so profound that Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent proposed that she spearhead the revival of a Jewish homeland in the Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee, recognising her unparalleled contributions and remarkable legacy.
Donna Gracia’s story is not just one of survival but of vision and action. Her personal journey was intricately intertwined with the rebirth of Tiberias, a city she helped flourish. Her actions and vision were instrumental in the city's revival, marking her as a key figure in its history.
A stroll along the Tiberias promenade, a mere hour-long, is a journey through time. It's a place where the lives of Prague and Vitebsk rabbis intersect with the legacies of Israeli generals and politicians. Here, the figures of Roman rulers, Jewish sages, medieval knights, and Muslim merchants, a diverse ensemble of history, come to life.
Initially, it may appear as a modest waterfront in a small lakeside town. However, it harbours numerous unexpected twists of history, stories that are now known to only a few, offering a surprising peek into the layered past of this remarkable city.
