This Jewish cemetery is the oldest in Europe. It was started in the 12th or 13th century. It is full of history and ancient gravestones. It is well worth a visit if you are in Worms.
I was very touched while walking through this site. The rich and long history makes one think and reflect. The site is almost 1000 years old with the oldest tombstone dating from 1058/59. The cemetery was closed in 1911 but used for some family burials till the late 1930's. If in the area of Worms this site is a must !
This is the oldest remaining Jewish cemetery in Germany and probably one of the oldest in Europe. The graves go from tenth century to about 1935, and it is fascinating to see the changes in style, especially in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. There is a path going round the whole cemetery and it is a very peaceful place to walk in and contemplate. There are some famous rabbis buried here so there are often scholars praying and some graves have recently placed prayers and stones. There is a guide book available in English, but I cannot remember how I got hold of mine, probably from elsewhere in the city on a previous visit.
Very moving place. The age of the cemetery was palpable (it is the oldest Jewish cemetery in Europe and dates back to the 11th century).
The cemetery does not appear as popular as other attractions, but it is just as moving. The entrance is gated, but appears like it may be a personal residence. You go past the home to another small gate to enter the cemetery. There are German and English history placards to your right as you enter the outside gate. Quite moving as you consider the Jewish history in Worms.
Some guidebooks say this is the largest Jewish cemetery in Europe. I cannot verify this but it certainly is massive. Members of the area's Jewish community had been buried here for centuries and some of the oldest gravestones, dating from the 1100's, are barely visible with inscriptions worn away by time. It's worth the visit to reflect.
It was a humbling to talk around and experience history throw those gravestones that I could barely read.
Take some time for a quiet walk in the Jewish Cemetery. Many of the graves are ancient and it is a beautiful, peaceful place.
Well to write a review on the cemetery even the old one is not the thing I would be doing a lot, but the old Jewish Cemetery is a bit of an outsider.First of all it is still not clear for me how the old Jewish Testament in the center of the city like Worms (where Nazy were very clear about the Final Solution Implementation) could survive the years of Hitler Regime!!! It is remarkable by itself and already worth a visit - there is not so many place of this kind to be find in Germany overall and in such state and in such age - none! So you have a J.Brown type of story already build in it...The second it is of course the atmosphere - the different approach of the Jews to cemeteries unlike the christians and the very old and seams to be important for the Jews history graves with all those stones and small notes left - all are behind the wall in the center of the town - looks very impresive and if you are after something different to museums, churches and alike - this place worth a visit.
I was moved by the ancient documents and really old hebrew on the tombs.Recommended to those which the name of "Maharam from Rotenburg" is meaningfull for them.few minutes of nice walking to the Rashi Schull .