UNESCO has recently designated Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia in Germany, as a new World Heritage Site, focusing on its Jewish-medieval heritage.
The decision to include Erfurt in this prestigious list was made during a meeting of the UN Cultural Organization in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With this new addition, Germany now counts 52 World Heritage Sites.
According to UNESCO, located within the medieval heart of Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia, this property includes three important monuments – the Old Synagogue, the Mikveh, and the Stone House.
These structures serve as poignant reminders of the vibrant existence of the local Jewish community and its harmonious coexistence alongside a Christian majority in Central Europe during the Middle Ages. This period of historical importance extends from the end of the 11th century to the middle of the 14th century.
The inclusion of Erfurt’s Jewish-mediaeval heritage as a new and second Jewish site on the UNESCO World Heritage list makes another important contribution to making the shared roots of Jews and Christians in Germany and Europe visible and preserving them for the future.
Two years ago, UNESCO recognised Jewish cultural heritage in Germany by including the ShUM sites in Mainz, Worms, and Speyer as World Heritage sites. These countries earned their status because of their historical importance as the cradle of European Judaism.
Erfurt’s Old Synagogue occupies a special place in this heritage. It is believed to be one of the oldest synagogues in Central Europe that has been preserved down to its roof. Today, this historic synagogue serves as a museum where visitors can explore and engage with evidence of Jewish life in medieval Erfurt. It stands as a valuable testimony to the rich cultural history of the Jewish community in the region.
Beyond its medieval Jewish heritage, Erfurt also connects to more recent Jewish history. The city is home to two modern synagogues, one actively used by the Jewish community. In addition, Erfurt contains a Jewish cemetery dating back to 1871 that remains in use today.
There is also an important historical site – the site of the destroyed Old Cemetery – marking the city’s Jewish history. Visitors to the Old Synagogue Museum can also witness the preservation of history, as it displays several dozen tombstones from medieval Jewish cemeteries.
