Medieval Tombstones of the Regensburg Jewish Cemetery, Medieval Jewish cemetery remnants in Regensburg, Germany.
The Medieval Tombstones of the Regensburg Jewish Cemetery are Jewish grave markers from the Middle Ages, now built into the walls and facades of buildings across Regensburg's city center. They carry Hebrew inscriptions and carved decorations that show the craftsmanship of that period.
When the Jewish community was expelled from Regensburg in 1519, their cemetery was torn down and the stones were reused as building material across the city. This unplanned reuse is what kept the markers from disappearing entirely.
The inscriptions carved on the stones show names and symbols from medieval times, recording the Jewish community that once lived in the city. Visitors can read these names and see the carved symbols today on the building facades, getting a direct connection to past residents.
The stones are spread across the city center and are easiest to find on foot while exploring the streets. Some buildings have signs nearby that help identify the stones and explain where they came from.
Some of the stones built into the walls date back to the 10th century, making them among the oldest surviving Jewish grave markers in Bavaria. They were not set aside to be kept but survived only because they happened to be used as ordinary building material.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
