Since 2021, the Old Jewish Cemetery has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the SchUM Sites in Speyer, Worms, and Mainz. Since then, the state capital has taken extensive measures to ensure the site remains accessible to visitors in the long term. A visitor center is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in late summer.

At the same time, a long-term restoration project is underway: over a period of eleven years, the historic gravestones will be secured and conserved. The inscriptions on the fragile red sandstone, which are often heavily weathered, are particularly at risk. Their preservation is of central importance, as they document the centuries-old history of the Jewish community in Mainz.

Mayor Nino Hasse and Ludwig Holle, Head of the Department of Construction, Monument Preservation, and Historical Heritage, accepted the grant agreement today at the Jewish Cemetery from the local board of the German Foundation for Monument Protection for restoration and conservation measures on the gravestones. The sum of 85,000 euros covers one-third of the project costs for the year 2026. The DSD’s grant consists of private donations, the proceeds from its trust foundations, and funds from the GlücksSpirale lottery in Rhineland-Palatinate.

The mayor thanked Dr. Juliane Parys, DSD Board Member, and Jürgen Häfner, Managing Director of Lotto Rhineland-Palatinate, and emphasized the importance of the funding:

“The Old Jewish Cemetery is a unique testament to Jewish history in Mainz and far beyond. The support from the German Foundation for Monument Protection helps us to permanently preserve this significant cultural heritage and make it accessible to future generations. We are very grateful for this.”

Ludwig Holle added: “The gravestones are not only culturally and historically valuable, but above all bearers of individual memories and religious traditions. Their restoration is a demanding task that we are pursuing with great care. This funding enables us to continue this work at a high professional standard.”

The Old Jewish Cemetery, located northwest of downtown Mainz, is one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in Europe. Many of the gravestones date back to the 11th century. The variety of forms, as well as the Hebrew and German inscriptions, reflect the long and significant history of the Jewish community.

(aga)