Medieval Tombstones of the Regensburg Jewish Cemetery

The tombstones from a medieval Jewish cemetery are built into the facades of buildings throughout Regensburg's city center. They bear Hebrew inscriptions and display various carved decorations that preserve the craftsmanship from that era.

When Jews were expelled from Regensburg in 1519, the cemetery was destroyed and the stones were reused as building material. This practice was economical for the city while unintentionally preserving these important records for later generations.

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 located on various buildings throughout the city center and can be spotted while walking around. Signs on some buildings help identify their locations and provide information about their origins.

Some of the stones built into the walls date back to the 10th century, making them among the oldest surviving Jewish grave monuments in Bavaria. They were not deliberately preserved but survived by chance when incorporated as building material.