Welcome to the ShUM-Sites
We are pleased that you are interested in visiting the medieval monuments and cemeteries - the ShUM-Sites. We welcome you to Speyer, Worms and Mainz - Shalom שלום!
With this website, we would like to offer you the opportunity to inform yourself about all interesting and important aspects before you visit the ShUM-Sites. We offer you details about the places of interest, opening times, admission fees, travel directions and ticket booking options. With our online offer, you can already start planning your journey before your arrival. The website is printable. To do this, please use the print button.
Welcome to ShUM - UNESCO World Heritage!
Look forward to competence and empathy: In Speyer, Worms and Mainz, you will be assisted by tour guides who have acquired a great deal of knowledge in advanced training accompanied by experts and historians. With feeling and expertise, they will tell you everything you need to know about the unique Jewish community and the monuments, ensembles and cemeteries..
The Jewish communities in the cities of Speyer, Worms and Mainz along the Rhine formed an alliance in the Middle Ages that profoundly influenced the architecture, culture, religion and jurisprudence of the Central and Eastern European Jewish worlds in Ashkenaz. Monuments - synagogues, women's shuln, ritual baths and cemeteries - together with the religious tradition, prove the immense importance of the ShUM-Comunities and their sites. Visit the Jewish heritage on the Rhine and experience the Century-old history of ShUM dating back to the 10th and 11th century.
Discover the Jewish sites nominated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Immerse yourself in nearly 1000 years of Jewish tradition. Infos on SchUM e.V.
Learn about the many facets of the brightest and darkest periods of German-Jewish history. It were centuries between tradition and innovation, massacres during the Crusades, medieval pogroms, but also the rooting of Jews in »Jerusalem on the Rhine«, acculturation and emancipation up to the Holocaust and the recovery of the synagogue compund in Worms after 1957.
Information on the touristic possibilities of the ShUM-Sites such as accommodation, bookings of guided tours and much more, you will receive from the competent colleagues of the Tourist-Information Speyer, the Tourist Information Worms and the Tourist Service Center Mainz.
ShUM-App
Whether for adult visitors or younger explorers of the unique »ShUM sites Speyer, Worms and Mainz«. The ShUM storytelling app offers exciting journeys through time and space. You will meet Abel and Anton in Worms at the Holy Sand cemetery, encounter Maayan at the Worms synagogue and Rebecca, David and Simcha in the Speyer Judenhof.
A story is also being developed for Mainz; give us a little more time!
Speyer – SchPIRA
Since the 11th century: The Judenhof Speyer (Jewry-Court Speyer)
Access through the Museum SchPIRA. The SchPIRA Museum was opened in 2010 and displays archaeological relics of the three main pillars of the Jewish community: synagogue, ritual bath, and cemetery. The objects come from the Judaica Collection of the Historical Museum of the Palatinate and the State Office for the Preservation of Monuments. Among other relics, tombstones, architectural elements and floor tiles of the synagogue as well as coins from the »Treasure of Lingenfeld« are shown. The museum also serves as the entrance and thus the preparation for the area of the »Judenhof«, where you find the remains of the medieval Synagogue and the Mikveh.
Passing through the SchPIRA Museum, you arrive on the »Judenhof«, a closed area within the city, where the impressive towering remains of the medieval synagogue, the women's shul and the excellently preserved mikveh are located. Furthermore, the synagogue courtyard and the Yeshiva, the teaching house, are archaeologically preserved.
The Ritual Bath was built at the beginning of the 12th century and is the oldest known monumental mikveh, with a construction method unique in Europe. The remains of the synagogue, inaugurated in 1104, are considered to be the best preserved 12th century synagogue in Europe. The extension for the women from the middle of the 13th century was built according to the model of the Wormser women's shul from 1212/13.
Address and contact
Kleine Pfaffengasse 20/21
67346 Speyer
Telefon: +49 (0)6232 291971
Tourist-Information Speyer
E-Mail: touristinformation_at_stadt-speyer.de
Website: Tourismus Info Speyer
Verkehrsverein Speyer
E-Mail: info_at_verkehrsverein-speyer.de
Website: Verkehrsverein Speyer
Opening Hours
November to March
Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
April to October
Monday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission
- Adults € 3,00
- Reduced € 1,50
- Children up to age 10: free entrance
- Families € 7,00
- Participants of Guided City Tours do not pay an entrance fee
Guided Tours for Groups in the Judenhof:
Maximum 25 individuals, duration ca. one hour, € 66,00 including entrance into the museum SchPIRA
Bookings online or through the Tourist-Information Speyer.
Guided Tours »Jewish Life and History in Speyer«
Meeting point: in front of the Main Portal of the Cathedral (Domplatz 1)
Dates: each 3rd Sunday from March to October at 11 a.m.
Admissions
- Adults: € 8,- / Reduction with SpeyerCARD: € 6,00
- Pupils, Students, Handicapped: € 6,00
- Families: € 16,00
- Children up to age 10 don’t pay an entrance fee.
Address, Contact, Bookings of individual tours
Tourist-Information Speyer
Maximilianstraße 13
67346 Speyer
Phone: + 49 (0)6232 142392
E-Mail: touristinformation_at_stadt-speyer.de
Website: Tourism Info
Website: Guided Tours
Opening Hours of Tourist-Information
November to March:
Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to noon.
April to October:
Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sundays and holidays: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Worms - WARMAISA
Since the 11th century: The Synagogue Compound
In 1034, the first synagogue was built in Worms. A new building was erected in 1174/75. The architectural style of the Worms' synagogue, a hall with central columns, served as a model for many synagogues in Europe, for example in Regensburg, Vienna, Prague and Krakow. In 1212/13, the first known women's school in Europe was built as an annex. In 1626, the Rashi-Yeshiva was built as a teaching house, as well as the vestibule the women's school. Also oon the compound: the mikveh, built in 1185/86. Currently closed. Info under: Mikveh Worms
The synagogue was destroyed in the November pogrom of 1938. Already at the end of the 1940s, an initiative was formed to rebuild the place of worship. The Worms synagogue, which was recovered after the Shoah, was reopened in 1961 amid great public interest and not without preceding controversial discussions. The building, like the synagogue courtyard and the mikvah, is owned by the Jewish Community of Mainz. For many years, services have again been celebrated on holidays or Shabbat. In addition, events such as concerts are held in the synagogue.
Information at: Jewish Community Mainz
Important note
For religious reasons, male Jews wear headgear in the synagogue. We therefore generally ask male visitors to wear a headgear as well. This does not have to be a kippa, it's fine to wear a hat, a cap or a baseball cap. Without a headgear, a visit for male guests is not possible.
Address
Synagogenplatz
67547 Worms
Free entrance.
Opening hours Synagoge Compound
November to March:
Daily, 10 a.m. to noon, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
April to October: daily,
10 a.m. to noon, 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
During some public holidays, the Synagogue is closed, please do inform yourself: Tourist Info
On some Saturdays or other festive days, the Jewish Community holds services and the Synagogue is then closed to the public. Please do inform about holidays under: Jewish Holidays
The Mikveh: 9 meters in the earth
The Mikveh in Worms, which dates back to 1185/86, was built after the model of the ritual bath in Speyer. It is similar in construction, but a bit smaller. By a staircase dwindling down, one reaches an anteroom, from which another staircase leads down to the plunge pool.
Unfortunately, the Mikwe in Worms had to be closed in November 2016 due to building research and subsequent renovation work. You can experience a visit through a website.
Jewish Museum in Rashi-House
Since September 2020, the exhibition: »ShUM on the Rhine - From the Middle Ages to Modernity« offers you a total new experience. Information under: The Exhibition website
In addition, we have an audioguide: Audioguide ShUM Exhibition
Address and Contact
Jüdisches Museum Worms
Hintere Judengasse 6
67547 Worms
Phone: +49 (0) 6241 853 4701
E-Mail: stadtarchiv_at_worms.de
Website: Jewish Museum Worms
Opening Hours of the Jewish Museum
November to March:
Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
April to October:
Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Mondays closed.
Admissions
- Adults: € 1,50
- Children: € 0,80
Groups from 10 individuals on:
- Adults: € 1,00
- Children/ pupils: € 0,50
We advise groups to let us know the date and time of their visit in advance:
+49 (0) 62 41 8 53 47 01 or
stadtarchiv_at_worms.de
Old Jewish Cemetery »Heiliger Sand«
The Jewish cemetery Heiliger Sand in Worms is the oldest in situ preserved Jewish cemetery in Europe, dating back to the middle of the 11th century. There are around 2,500 tombstones, of which about 600 are from the middle Ages. The oldest still legible tombstone dates from 1058/59. Among the most famous figures buried on the cemetery are Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg, called MaHaRam (died 1293), Alexander ben Salomon Wimpfen and Rabbi Jacob ben Moses haLevi, called MaHaRil (died 1427).
Important note:
For religious reasons, male Jews wear headgear in tha Synagogue and while visiting a Jewish cemetery. We therefore ask male visitors to wear a headgear as well. This does not have to be a kippa, it's fine to wear a hat, a cap or a baseball cap. Without a headgear, a visit for male guests is not possible.
Please do not leave the paths and acknowledge the Jewish religious laws with respect to the dead. The path leads you along the medieval area to the newer part of the cemetery. From there you have a wonderful view of the entire area and the famous Rabbinic Valley; you will pass also the »Martin Buber-View«.
However, the owner of the cemetery, the Jewish Community of Mainz, allows Jews who wish to visit their ancestors or pray at certain graves to leave the paths.
We ask for your understanding for these regulations.
Address
Willy-Brandt-Ring 21
67547 Worms
Free entrance.
Opening Hours of the Cemetery
Until October
Sunday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Last visitors are welcome at 4.40 p.m.
Closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.
Please view these at: Jewish Holidays
Also closed: Christmas holidays, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, Good Friday.
Short notice changes or closures are possible at any time.
Due to the pandemic, a maximum of 50 visitors are currently allowed in the cemetery. Registered groups have priority over individual visitors.
Guided tours. Please book through the Touristinformation
All guided tours to Jewish Worms can be booked by groups on the desired date after prior written reservation, also in the following foreign languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian, Hebrew.
See under: https://www.ticket-regional.de/
Information and Booking
Phone: Tel: +49 (0)6241 853 7306
E-Mail: touristinfo_at_worms.de
Website: Discover Worms
Opening Hours of the Touristinformation
November to March:
Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
April to October:
Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mainz - MAGENZA
Old Jewish Cemetery »Judensand«
The Memorial Cemetery on the compound of the medieval Jewish cemetery » Judensand« is owned by the Jewish Community Mainz. The cemetery is currently not open to the public.
The outstanding Memorial Cemetery was constructed in 1926 from Jewish gravestones that were repeatedly found during construction works througout the city. They were taken away from the cemetery in the previous centuries, after persecutions, for construction purposes. The Memorial Cemetery is unique in Europe. The Memorial Cemetery was created on an area that belonged to the Jewish cemetery already in the middle Ages, but after the expulsion of the Jews from Mainz the ground was designated to another use. Where exactly the medieval burial grounds are located could not be determined after the repurchase of the area by the Jewish Community Mainz.
In order not to disturb the eternal rest, it is not permitted in Judaism to walk over graves. For this reason, the Memorial Cemetery cannot be made accessible to the public. Coordination are currently underway to set up a visitor pavillon outside the cemetery; then, the newer part of the cemetery at Mombacher Straße will be opened.
If you are interested in visiting the spectacular New Synagogue with its architectural language inspired by the great tradition of ShUM, the Jewish community Mainz is your contact.
Address and Contact
Jüdische Gemeinde Mainz
Synagogenplatz
(Corner Hindenburgstraße / Josefsstraße)
55118 Mainz
Phone: +49 (0)6131 2108800
Information: Jewish Community Mainz
Touristic Information and Contact
Since Summer 2021
mainz STORE
Markt 17
55116 Mainz
Opening Hours (presumably)
November to March: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
April to October: Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed on Sundays and Holidays.
E-Mail: tourist_at_mainzplus.com
Phone: +49 (0)6131 242888
Website: Mainz Tourismus
Tourist Service Center Mainz in Landesmuseum Mainz
Große Bleiche 49-51
55116 Mainz
Phone: +49 (0)6131-2857-191
Opening Hours
Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesdays to Sundays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed on Mondays, please do inform yourself regarding holidays.
E-Mail: tourist_at_mainzplus.com
Website: Mainz Tourism
Guided Tours
Guided Tours for Groups
Information: Guided tours
»Magenza, the Jewish Mainz – one of the ShUM-Cities«
Tourist Service Center Mainz
Meeting Point: will be named during booking process
Charge: € 115,00, Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours, maximum 25 individuals.
Phone: +49 (0)6131 242827
E-Mail: gaestefuehrung_at_mainzplus.com
Website: Guided Tours
Guided Tours for Individuals
»Magenza: Jewish Mainz«
City Tour focusing on Jewish History
Tourist Service Center Mainz
Meeting Point: Tourist Service Center Mainz, Brückenturm, Rheinstraße 55, 55116 Mainz
Charge per person: € 12,00
Phone: +49 (0)6131 242827
E-Mail: tourist_at_mainzplus.com
Website: Guided Tours
Traffic connections
How to travel to and between the ShUM-Cities
By Train
The lines S6 and RE4 / 4474 serve the route Speyer - Worms - Mainz
- Between Speyer and Worms about 35 minutes.
- Between Worms and Mainz about 30 to 35 minutes
- Between Speyer and Mainz about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Individual sections can be traveled in addition by other lines.
Website: www.bahn.de
By Car
Speyer <> Mainz
- A 61 to motorway junction Alzey, then A 63, approx. 75 minutes
- A 6, A 67, A 60, about 75 minutes
Speyer <> Worms
- A 61, about 45 minutes
- B 9, about 45 minutes
Worms <> Mainz
- A 61 to motorway junction Alzey, then A 63 or vice versa, approx. 45 minutes
- B 9 about 45 minutes to 1 hour
Parking in Speyer
- Parking Festplatz or Parking Zentrum.
- Bus parking at Festplatz.
Parking in Worms
- There are signs that lead you to the parking possibilities.
- Synagogue district: Parking Kaiser Passage.
- Cemetery: Parking The Wormser or Parking Am Theater.
- Parking on the Festplatz on the Rhine (except for events) is free!
- Bus parking at Festplatz / Barbarossaplatz.
Parking in Mainz
- Downtown: Parkhaus Am Brand, Parkhaus Rheinufer, Parkhaus Römisches Theater and Parkhaus Wallstraße.
- New Synagogue: Parkplatz Schloss oder Parkhaus Bleiche.
- Bus parking: Bus lane at the Hilton (parking duration max 3 h).
Information for Jewish guests
There are no kosher restaurants in Speyer and Worms but in Mainz. There are no kosher hotels or holiday apartments which follow the Kashrut. Many restaurants offer vegetarian or even vegan food.
A kosher list is available from:
Orthodox Rabbinical Conference of Germany
Roonstr. 50
50674 Cologne
Phone: +49 (0) 221 92 15 60 20
Fax: +49 (0) 221 92 15 60 19
E-Mail: info_at_ordonline.de
Online: Kosher List
Further services and information on Jewish life in Germany
Central Council of Jews in Germany