Synagoge Heidelberg, Memorial site of former synagogue in Heidelberg, Germany
Synagoge Heidelberg (1878-1938) was a Jewish house of worship that once stood at the corner of Lauerstraße and Große Mantelgasse. Today a memorial square occupies the site, with marble paving marking the original walls, granite pieces showing window locations, and a dozen sandstone blocks representing the interior seating.
Built in 1878, the synagogue served Heidelberg's Jewish congregation for six decades. It was destroyed in November 1938 during a Nazi-organized pogrom that swept through German cities, ending a chapter of religious life that had developed over generations.
The memorial outlines where the building stood and honors the Jewish community that gathered here for worship and celebration over many generations. Visitors can sense the presence of a thriving congregation that once filled this space.
The memorial site sits at an easy-to-find street corner and is open to visitors at any time without restrictions. Informational plaques in multiple languages explain the layout and history, making it simple to understand the site while standing there.
The twelve sandstone blocks scattered across the square carry a hidden double meaning that many visitors overlook. They represent both the original seating arrangement and the twelve tribes of Israel, linking the physical space to Jewish spiritual tradition.
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