Erfurt Treasure: Four new Gothic masterpieces surfaced!

Erfurt Treasure: Four new Gothic masterpieces surfaced!

There is news in Erfurt that enriches historiography! Four more pieces from the famous Jewish treasure trove, which was discovered 25 years ago, have turned up at the home of a private individual. These are exquisite Gothic garment clasps that are made as hook and eye fasteners and impress with their artfully designed fittings. These finds are not just unique items, but also make the heritage 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 garment clasps can be assigned to the original collection of finds, which weighs a total of 30 kilograms.

The Jewish Treasure of Erfurt, complete with 3,142 silver coins, 14 silver bars and over 700 individual pieces of Gothic goldsmith's art, is a unique cultural heritage that was hidden during a plague epidemic. According to current information, the treasure was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in September 2023, which underlines the enormous importance of this discovery Wikipedia.

Cultural context and meaning

The treasures from Erfurt are of great cultural relevance as they not only document the economic status of the Jewish community at the time, but also offer an insight into daily life and craftsmanship in the Middle Ages. Dr. Sven Ostritz, President of the State Office for Monument Preservation and Archeology, emphasizes how important such testimonies are, as they provide insights into medieval Jewish life in Erfurt and illustrate this community's contribution to urban culture. The new finds are a welcome addition to the values ​​already discovered Herder.

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

Erfurt as a place steeped in history

The Old Synagogue and the Mikveh in Erfurt are important sites of Jewish history and culture that have largely preserved the original building structure. The Mikveh, a ritual bath, and the Old Synagogue not only show the traditions of the Jewish community, but also the adaptation to local building traditions UNESCO. These beauties from the 12th to 14th centuries were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in accordance with their historical significance.

The discovery of the Jewish treasure not only represents a winding history of persecution, but is also a sign of the strength of survival and the 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 garment clasps are not just pieces of jewelry, but a piece of history that stimulates thought and maintains a connection to the past. It remains to be seen how these finds will be further researched and what stories they will tell.