Alte Synagogue Erfurt

Also on our list for today, was the Alte Synagogue and the remains of the mikveh, the Jewish ritual bath which was discovered during work by the Kramerbrücke.

The structure dates back to Eleventh Century, though most of the building are from the period 1250-1320. It is believed to be the oldest intact synagogue surviving in Europe. You can see traces of the former dancehall decoration on the upper floor.

The Erfurt Massacre of 1349, a deadly pogrom against the town's Jews, occurred. Those who weren't killed were expelled, and the building passed into the hands of a private owner. In the following centuries, it was used for various things including warehouse space, a ballroom, and a bowling alley. Because of the structural changes all of these conversions caused, and the fact that it was located out of the way, the building survived the Nazi period.

Today, the Alte Synagogue houses a museum that contains the Erfurt Treasure: a collection of silver coins, gold and jewelry that had been hidden by Jewish residents before the 1349 massacre. Also on display are copies of significant Jewish religious texts dating from the Twelfth to the Fourteenth Century, including a copy a record of oral Jewish law. The original manuscripts are in the Berlin State Library.

The mikveh can only be visited by special tour, and no pictures in the treasury. So sorry: no bling and only two shots down through the glass into the mikveh one without flash and one with, which is pretty far under the current street. Also, the Kramerbrücke, near the location of the mikveh.Read more