Erfurt Treasure, Medieval treasure in Old Synagogue, Erfurt, Germany
The Erfurt Treasure is a collection of medieval silver and gold objects displayed in the Old Synagogue in Erfurt, Germany. It includes coins, ingots, jewelry, and tableware found together in a single hoard.
The hoard was buried in a house wall in 1349 when Jews in Erfurt faced persecution and were driven from the city. It stayed hidden until construction work in the 20th century uncovered it by chance.
The wedding ring in this collection carries Hebrew letters and Gothic decorative motifs on the same piece, showing how Jewish and Christian craft traditions coexisted in Erfurt. Objects like this are rarely seen in such good condition in museums today.
The objects are displayed in the Old Synagogue in Erfurt inside a case that allows you to view them closely. Visiting when the museum is less crowded gives you more time to look at each piece without rushing.
One brooch in the collection carries the Middle High German inscription 'OWE MINS HERZ', meaning roughly 'Oh, my heart'. Personal texts like this on jewelry from the Middle Ages are very rarely preserved.
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