ShUM – Jewish Heritage

Old Jewish Cemetery “Judensand”

The Old Jewish Cemetery “Judensand” in Mainz, with around 1,500 gravestones, is a key part of the UNESCO World Heritage ShUM sites. Many of the stones date back to the 11th century, making it – alongside the “Heiliger Sand” in Worms – one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in Europe. The site was originally located outside the city and served as a burial ground for the Jewish community for centuries. Today, the lower section with gravestones from the 18th and 19th centuries is accessible. After expulsions, many gravestones were repurposed and only rediscovered in the 19th century. They were brought together in the upper section to form a memorial cemetery, which still reflects the long history of Jewish life in Mainz.

Currently, visits to the “Judensand” are only possible as part of guided tours.

Jewish Cemetery

The new Jewish cemetery on Untere Zahlbacher Straße was established in 1880 and replaced the “Judensand” as a burial site. It is located next to Mainz’s main cemetery and is still in use by the Jewish community today. A memorial plaque installed in 1948 at the entrance commemorates the victims of the Nazi era. The graves themselves remained intact during this time.

Opening hours can be found on the website of the Jewish Community of Mainz Rheinhessen.

New Synagogue

The New Synagogue in Mainz was inaugurated in 2010 and combines modern architecture with historical references. Designed by Manuel Herz, it draws on the scholarly tradition of the ShUM cities, particularly the legacy of Gershom ben Judah. The building’s structure reflects the liturgical concept of “Kedusha.” Additional design elements reference Jewish texts and traditions, linking contemporary architecture with the intellectual heritage of ShUM.

Weisenau Synagogue

The synagogue in Mainz-Weisenau was built in 1737/38 and is the only synagogue in Mainz to have survived both the Nazi era and the bombing raids. It is considered the oldest preserved building in Weisenau. After being severely damaged in 1793 and desecrated during the pogrom night of 1938, the building was later repurposed and largely forgotten. Its significance was rediscovered in 1978. It was subsequently restored and rededicated in 1996. Two mikvehs (ritual baths) discovered in the courtyard, dating from different periods, make the site unique in Germany.

Judaica Collection at the Landesmuseum Mainz

The Landesmuseum Mainz houses a Judaica collection of Jewish ritual objects, mainly from the 18th and 19th centuries. It originates from the Museum of Jewish Antiquities founded in 1926. The museum was closed during the Nazi era, and many items were destroyed in 1938. The surviving objects are now largely on permanent loan from the Jewish community and are displayed in the Landesmuseum.