Abstractmagnified imageA short and efficient protocol for the stereoselective synthesis of racemic trans‐ and cis‐3,4‐dihydro‐3,4,8‐trihydroxynaphthalen‐1(2H)‐one (1 and 2, resp.), is described, comprising nine and eight steps starting from commercial juglone (=5‐hydroxynaphthalene‐1,4‐dione; 12) (Scheme 4). Furthermore, an attempt to obtain 1 and 2via phthalide annulation as the key step (Schemes 2 and 3) and a regioselective oxidation of the intermediate 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydronaphthalene‐1,2,4,5‐tetrols 27 and 28 with activated MnO2 were carried out (Scheme 4).