Jewish Life in Cologne from Roman Times to the Present - Tour in the Old Town｜Germany

Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of Germany's oldest Jewish community! Jewish life in Cologne was already mentioned in documents as early as the year 321 – a unique testament to over 1,700 years of Jewish history in the heart of the cathedral city.

On this special walking tour, we follow the traces of Jewish life from Roman times through the Middle Ages to the present day. In the heart of the old town, we will visit the historic Rathausviertel (City Hall Quarter), where the medieval Jewish quarter once stood. Here, around the MiQua Museum, you can gain fascinating insights into a long-gone world.

In the medieval Jewish quarter, the 12th-century ritual bath, the mikveh, was discovered after World War II. It is one of the oldest surviving mikvahs in Germany and an extraordinary testimony to Jewish culture and religious history.

Find out why the Jewish community had to leave Cologne in 1424, what the consequences of this were for the city, and how Jewish life flourished again after their return in the 19th century.

Amid historical sites, moving stories and impressive archaeological discoveries, this guided tour offers a fascinating glimpse into an often hidden part of Cologne's history.

A journey through 1,700 years of Jewish life – informative, moving and highly relevant.