Erfurt treasure: Four new Gothic masterpieces appeared!

Erfurt treasure: Four new Gothic masterpieces appeared!

Erfurt, Deutschland - In Erfurt there are news that enriches historiography! Four other pieces from the famous Jewish treasure fund appeared to a private individual, which was discovered 25 years ago. These are exquisite Gothic robe, which are manufactured as hook and eyelets and impress with their artistically designed fittings. These finds are not only unique pieces, but also make the legacy of the Jewish community in Erfurt more visible, the loss of which had dramatic consequences during the violent persecution on March 21, 1349. Herder reports that the clothing closes the original FindKilogram, which weighs a total of 30 kilograms.

The Jewish treasure of Erfurt, completely consisting of 3142 silver coins, 14 silver bars and over 700 individual pieces of Gothic goldsmithing, is a unique cultural heritage that was hidden during a plague epidemic. According to current information, the treasure was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in September 2023, which underlines the enormous meaning of this discovery Wikipedia.

cultural context and meaning

The treasures from Erfurt are of great cultural relevance, since they not only document the economic status of the then Jewish community, but also offer an insight into everyday life and the craftsmanship of the Middle Ages. Dr. Sven Ostritz, President of the State Office for Monument Conservation and Archeology, emphasizes how important such certificates are because they give insights into the medieval-Jewish life in Erfurt and illustrate the contribution of this community to urban culture. The new finds are a welcome supplement to the values ​​already discovered [Herder] (https://www.herder.de/wbg-magazine/aktuelles/2025/vier-stuecke-aus-dem- Middle Ages of

The treasure originally belonged to the Jewish banker Kalman von Wiehe, who, as the story shows, not only lost his valuables, but ultimately also lost his life in the violent turmoil of the persecution of Jews. The hidden of the treasure during the plague pogrom reflects the terrible circumstances of that time Wikipedia.

Erfurt as a historical place

The old synagogue and the Mikwe in Erfurt are significant sites of Jewish history and culture, which have largely preserved the original building fabric. The Mikwe, a ritual bathroom, and the old synagogue not only show the traditions of the Jewish community, but also the adaptation to the local building traditions [UNESCO] (https://www.unesco.de/staette/juedisch- Middle Ages-erbe-in-erfurt/). These beauties from the 12th to 14th centuries were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in accordance with their historical importance.

The find of the Jewish treasure not only represents a winding history of persecution, but is also a sign of survival and cultural wealth that has been preserved from this time. Finds from Jewish contexts are rare, and the Erfurt discoveries are therefore of immeasurable value for research and education. The new robe is not just a piece of jewelry, but a piece of history that stimulates thinking and maintains the connection to the past. It remains to be seen how these finds are further researched and what stories they will tell.