Discover the diverse traces of Jewish life in Freiburg on the “Jewish Freiburg” city tour. The first Jewish families arrived in the young city as early as the second half of the 13th century. The tour sheds light on the eventful and often tragic history of the Jewish community in Freiburg. You’ll learn how a vibrant Jewish community began to develop around 1860. The tour also focuses on its abrupt end during the Nazi era. The two-hour tour combines history, culture, and personal stories into a memorable experience.
Many buildings, memorial sites, and Stolpersteine tell fascinating stories about Jewish life in Freiburg. The city tour begins at the Blue Bridge. Since 2003, a memorial at the entrance to the Wiwilí Bridge has commemorated the deportation of approximately 350 Jewish residents of Freiburg to the Gurs camp in southern France.
The next stop is the Old Synagogue Square. Here stands the monument to the 19th-century synagogue, which was destroyed in 1938 and has been the subject of repeated debate. On Löwenstraße, an Art Nouveau building designed by Arthur Levi is particularly striking. The renowned architect was a prominent member of the Jewish community.
Other stops include Rathausplatz and Münsterplatz. Along the way, you’ll learn interesting facts about the history of the “Aryanized” businesses on Kaiser-Joseph-Straße. The city tour brings Jewish history, culture, and everyday life in Freiburg back to life.
After World War II, Jewish life in Freiburg began anew. At the end of the guided tour of the New Synagogue, you’ll gain insights into Jewish life in the city today.
If you are interested in the history of Jewish life in Germany, we recommend the guided tour “Jewish Speyer.” On this tour, you will discover the mikveh, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The plaza between the Konzerthaus and the Novotel (Google Maps)
Discover the history of the Jewish community in Freiburg. Since the Middle Ages, Jewish life in Freiburg has helped shape the city. You can look forward to:
