Synagoge Ermreuth

About the museum

For around 400 years, Ermreuth was the seat of a rural Jewish community. Because the community had grown at the beginning of the 19th century, it replaced its synagogue of 1738 with a new building, consecrated in 1822, which was among the largest village synagogues in Upper Franconia. Through emigration and departure, the community shrank sharply by the 1930s. During the November pogrom of 1938 the synagogue was desecrated, but because of the dense surrounding buildings it was not set on fire; the remaining Jewish residents were for the most part deported and murdered.

During and after the war the building served as a storage space. In 1954 the Free State of Bavaria sold it to the local Raiffeisenkasse, which stored agricultural equipment in it and greatly altered the building. In 1974 the market town of Neunkirchen am Brand acquired the former synagogue, and in 1989 the district of Forchheim and the market town founded a special-purpose association to save it. After several years of restoration, the building was ceremonially reopened on June 19, 1994.

During the roof renovation a genizah came to light – writings and objects from the religious and everyday life of the community. It forms the core of the permanent exhibition on the former women's gallery, which was redesigned in 2019 and complemented with donations, eyewitness accounts, and media stations. Today the synagogue is both an exhibition and event venue.

Highlights

• Neoclassical village synagogue of 1822
• Original finds from the attic genizah
• Redesigned permanent exhibition of 2019
• Eyewitness accounts and media stations
• Concerts and lectures in the former prayer hall

Permanent exhibitions

• Jüdisches Leben auf dem Land am Beispiel Ermreuth – On the women's gallery, finds from the genizah, donations, and eyewitness accounts tell of religion and piety as well as of the life of the Jewish community of Ermreuth. Further display cases cover the building's history and the architectural elements of the synagogue.

Founded

1994

Operated by

Zweckverband Synagoge Ermreuth (Landkreis Forchheim und Markt Neunkirchen am Brand)

Admission & discounts

On event days, only cash payment at the evening box office is possible.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The prayer hall is reachable almost at ground level (two steps each at the entrance and to the vestibule); the permanent exhibition on the gallery only via the historic staircase. Sufficient seating; the restroom is not wheelchair-accessible.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Small sales area for publications in the entrance area.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit