We were only there because there was a service in the cathedral, but we stayed for an hour. There is a small museum that tells the history of the Jews in this region and you can watch several short films in German, English and French. But the best part is the mikveh, a ritual Jewish bath. We have traveled a lot, but we have never seen a mikvah. This mikveh is apparently the oldest in Germany and is still in use. Pretty impressive!

The Mikveh, the Jewish bath, can be reached via the small museum run by the Speyer Tourist Association, which, among other things, provides information about the history of Speyer's Jews, which ends in the 16th century, with a film that is well worth seeing. A long staircase takes you underground - the mikveh is about ten meters underground. The water is quite warm again, as expected.

The entry is misleading: The Jewish ritual bath (mikveh) can only be accessed through the adjacent SchPIRA museum (entrance fee €4), it is not alone! The mikveh is well preserved and the bathing area is accessible. The ticket to the museum is worth it for that alone.

A great place to experience history. The size of the mikveh is particularly impressive.

I didn't know until now that there was something like this in Speyer, even though we are often in Speyer I found the Jewish bath very interesting Also very informative But for my personal taste, more exhibits could be shown Once you're inside, you're done in no time Very nicely done outside There are chairs in the garden All that's missing are small tables and coffee and cake then you could spend the whole afternoon there And if it gets too hot, you can go down to the mikveh and it's nice and cool there Conclusion: Exhibition very nice but small But you can watch it if you're interested in that sort of thing

(Translated by Google) The Judenhof Speyer was the central district of the medieval Jewish quarter of Speyer and consisted of the synagogue, including the women's school, synagogue yard and yeshiva, as well as the oldest preserved mikveh in Central Europe, the ritual immersion bath of the Jews. The synagogue was built around 1100, the women's school added a little later. The mikveh also dates from this period. The site was no longer used after 1534 and fell into disrepair. To the east of the synagogue walls is the Jewish ritual bath built around 1110/1120. It is around 11 m deep and has a footprint of almost 3 m³. If you descend, a Romanesque portal leads into an anteroom with a stone bench that could have served as a changing room. The vestibule is dominated by delicate columns and a twin window. To the left is a niche room, which also has a small bench. The niche known colloquially as the "clothing store" can have had different functions, for example for changing clothes or for putting down towels to dry off. Another staircase leads from the platform down to the water basin. The architecture of the mikveh is based on the Romanesque architectural style prevailing at the time. The mikveh monumentalizes and choreographs the act of cultic cleansing, also in response to the increased need for cultic purity for men and women in the SchUM communities after the crusade pogroms. This staging of spiritual purity takes place through the elaborate design with the elongated stairway, the platform and the columns and the double window as well as the elaborately designed interior. This also underlines the former status of the community. (Original) Der Judenhof Speyer war der zentrale Bezirk des mittelalterlichen jüdischen Viertels von Speyer und bestand aus der Synagoge samt Frauenschul, Synagogenhof und Jeschiwa sowie der in Mitteleuropa ältesten erhaltenen Mikwe, dem rituellen Tauchbad der Juden. Die Synagoge wurde um 1100 erbaut, die Frauenschul wenig später hinzugefügt. Auch die Mikwe stammt aus dieser Zeit. Das Gelände wurde nach 1534 nicht mehr genutzt und verfiel. Östlich der Synagogenmauern befindet sich das um 1110/1120 erbaute jüdische Ritualbad. Es ist rund 11 m tief und verfügt über eine Grundfläche von knapp 3 m³. Steigt man hinab, gelangt man über ein romanisches Portal in einen Vorraum mit einer steinernen Bank, der als Umkleideraum gedient haben könnte. Der Vorraum wird von zierlichen Säulen und einem Zwillingsfenster dominiert. Linker Hand befindet sich ein Nischenraum, der ebenfalls eine kleine Bank aufweist. Die umgangssprachlich als „Kleiderkammer“ bezeichnete Nische kann verschiedene Funktionen gehabt haben, bspw. für das Umkleiden oder zum Ablegen von Tüchern zum Abtrocknen. Von der Plattform führt eine weitere Treppe hinab zum Wasserbecken. Die Architektur der Mikwe orientiert sich am seinerzeit herrschenden romanischen Baustil. Die Mikwe monumentalisiert und choreografiert den Akt der kultischen Reinigung und zwar auch als Antwort auf das gesteigerte Bedürfnis nach kultischer Reinheit für Männer und Frauen in den SchUM-Gemeinden nach den Kreuzzugspogromen. Diese Inszenierung spiritueller Reinheit geschieht durch die aufwändige Bauform mit dem langgezogenen Treppenabgang, der Plattform und den Säulen und dem Doppelfenster sowie dem aufwendig gestalteten Innenraum. Auch dies unterstreicht den einstigen Status der Gemeinde.

The only Jewish ritual bath from medieval times in very good condition. Little restauration has been done, only the last two steps are original. But this is due to higher grounds nowadays. Make sure to get the two free brochures at the small shop, they are very informative

Just a absolute special and amazing experience. A must see place to go.

You can get through the small museum quite quickly. What was interesting was the ritual bath. There's not much left to see of the synagogue. You should definitely read the boards.

Important place of remembrance

Very emotion. An important landmark in preserving historical value about Ashkenaz Judaism and communities. An interesting story about the development of the Frauenschul

(Translated by Google) So I was much longer than 15 minutes on the spot. Alone the small exhibition with original finds and the films that could be seen to the synagogue and the Mikwe lasted more than 15 minutes. And please 3 euros yes yes u.a. To preserve and research these very rare buildings of Jewish life I find absolutely appropriate. I liked it . (Original) Also ich war deutlich länger als nur 15 Minuten vor Ort . Alleine die kleine Ausstellung mit Orginal Fundstücken und die Filme die man sich zu der Synagoge und der Mikwe anschauen konnte dauerten schon mehr als 15 Minuten. Und bitte 3 Euro die ja u.a. zum Erhalt und der Forschung dieser sehr seltenen Bauwerke jüdischen Lebens dienen finde ich absolut angemessen. Mir hat es gut gefallen .

(Translated by Google) The small and fine museum shows an insight into the Jewish community in the Middle Ages in Speyer. Speyer belonged to the centers of the Jewish communities in Germany at that time. Especially nice is that here the mikwe, the ritual bath is preserved and can be visited. Within the framework of the beautifully constructed museum one is introduced, so to speak. The tranquility and a little seclusion in side street in Speyer, make it a contemplative and almost religious place. It is worth the 150 m walk from the cathedral to the small museum. (Original) Das kleine und feine Museum zeigt einen Einblick in die jüdische Gemeinde im Mittelalter in Speyer. Speyer gehörte zu den Zentren der Jüdischen Gemeinden in Deutschland zu dieser Zeit. Besonders schön ist daß hier die Mikwe, das rituelle Bad erhalten ist und besichtigt werden kann. Im Rahmen des sehr schön aufgebauten Museums wird man sozusagen herangeführt. Die Ruhe und ein wenig Abgeschiedenheit in Nebenstraße in Speyer, machen es zu einen besinnlichen und fast religiösem Ort. Es lohnt sich die 150 m vom Dom zu dem kleinen Museum zu gehen.

Intersting history in Speyer. Thoughtfully preserved and well explained history of Jews in Germany - hands up who knew there were large Jewish settlements along the Rhine from about 900AD? Intersting and great videos explaining in English and other languages.

(Translated by Google) Worth seeing (Original) Sehenswert

(Translated by Google) In 15 minutes you have everything seen and for 3 euros enters is simply zufiel (Original) In 15 Minuten hat man alles gesehen und dafür 3 Euro eintritt ist einfach zufiel

Very worth seeing UNESCO World Heritage Site with good signage as an explanation. Be sure to go down to the mikvah!

(Translated by Google) Speyer is on the way to becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Jewish ritual bath, built around 1120, is the oldest of its kind north of the Alps and is definitely worth a visit. The whole museum area is attractively designed and the visitors are welcomed by friendly staff. (Original) Speyer ist auf dem Weg zu UNESCO Welt Kulturerbe. Das um 1120 errichtete jüdische Ritualbad ist das älteste seiner Art nördlich der Alpen und auf jeden Fall eine Besichtigung wert. Der ganze Museumsbereich ist ansprechend gestaltet und die Besucher werden von freundlichen Mitarbeitern empfangen.

(Translated by Google) A beautiful complex with a memorable value. The entrance area with the museum is barrier-free. Very friendly welcome. Informative and interesting facts about the Jewish quarter in Speyer, which, along with Worms and Mainz, belonged to the former centers. (Original) Eine schöne Anlage mit Erinnerungswert. Der Eingangsbereich mit Museum ist barrierefrei. Sehr freundlicher Empfang. Informativ und Interessantes über das Judenviertel in Speyer, das mit Worms und Mainz zu den ehemaligen Zentren gehörte.

The mikveh in the Judenhof Speyer, UNESCO World Heritage Site, where crude religious rituals were held that mainly affected women. In the Judenhof there are also the walls of a synagogue and a prayer house for women, the head of a Jew and the wise men of Speyer. Admission is free with a guided tour.

Excellent historical area of Speyer

(Translated by Google) Interesting historical place. Small, informative museum connected. (Original) Interessanter historischer Ort. Kleines, informatives Museum angeschlossen.

(Translated by Google) Really absolutely beautiful and worth seeing. But you should definitely with leadership purely to get the meaning and background information !!! (Original) Wirklich absolut wunderschön und sehenswert. Man sollte aber unbedingt mit Führung rein um die Bedeutung und Hintergrund Informationen zu bekommen!!!

(Translated by Google) The place is worth seeing, who should come to Speyer next to the cathedral and visit this bath. The city has very carefully dug up and restored the buildings here, which was salvageable. As citizens we must always be grateful that such actions are still being invested. That was not always the case and probably will not always be. But here too in Germany we now have a large number of these sites. Also in Friedberg in Hesse you can marvel at a remarkable building of this kind. Trier, Frankfurt etc. Just in countless cities with a long history that are so numerous in Europe. (Original) Der Ort ist sehenswert, wer nach Speyer kommt sollte neben dem Dom auch dieses Bad besuchen. Die Stadt hat hier die Gebäude sehr behutsam ausgegraben und wiederhergestellt was zu retten war. Als Bürger müssen wir immer dankbar sein dass für solche Aktionen noch investiert wird. Das war nicht immer so der Fall und wird es vermutlich auch nicht immer sein können. Aber auch hier haben wirin Deutschland inzwischen eine große Anzahl dieser Stätten. Auch in Friedberg in Hessen kann man ein beachtliches Bauwerk dieser Art bestaunen. Trier, Frankfurt usw. Eben in unzähligen Städten mit langer Historie die in Europa so zahlreich sind.

(Translated by Google) Very interesting, the lady at the front desk very very friendly. Beautiful, clean. The price really reasonable. After all, something must definitely be preserved. (Original) Sehr interessant, die Dame an der Rezeption sehr sehr freundlich. Wunderschön, sauber. Der Preis wirklich angemessen. Immerhin muss so etwas definitiv erhalten bleiben.

Awesome!!

(Translated by Google) An exciting place with a scary past. Well done for keeping the memory forever. Must be impressed. In contact with the stones you can feel the heartbeat. We also went down to the water well maintained and maintained very well. (Original) מקום מרגש עם עבר מפחיד . כל הכבוד על שמירת הזיכרון לנצח . חובה להגיע להתרשם . במגע עם האבנים ניתן לחוש בקצב פעימות הלב . ירדנו גם למקווה המים שנשמר ומתוחזק בצורה טובה מאוד.

Amazing cultural experience.

So thankful that this piece of history, religion and culture has been restored and opened to the public. So much to learn from this building and history. Beautiful and insightful.

For anyone who is interested in Jewish medieval history this museum is worth your visit, in particular the Mikwe is a must see.

Important historical site. Lots of well written explanations in English German and French.

Very impressive historical significance of Jewish people in Speyer. They house remains of a synagogue and other sacred architectural finds dating back to the Romans.

There is a well preserved Jewish ritual bath, oldest on north of the Alps in Europe. Plus there is a variety of other Jewish artifacts and a museum. I highly recommend a visit.

This is an outstanding site and a museum. The stunning mikveh, the remnants of a spacious synagogue show a sense of rootedness and cultural integration of the Jewish community in Speyer combined with its own Jewish identity. The artifacts in the museum are well described helping viewers understand the life of this lost community.

Interesting history of the Jewish residents of Speyer and the synagogue. A small museum but nicely done.

(Translated by Google) Very interesting, history is shown here in an understandable way for every person (Original) Sehr interessant, hier wird Geschichte für jede Person verständlich gezeigt

This was an amazing, humbling and unmissable experience.

Very real but dont touch the water, its disgusting...

Learn what European Jewish life was like well before the holocaust. This site has been present for at least 700 years

I toiveled myself there evan though its an official tourist site. Just make it fast... and it cold and quite dirty. But was a hilliga experience to toivek in a mikva that risonim toiveled in. (Speyer is known to be from the oldest Yiddish kehillos -mentioned by Ezra hasoifer... and where baali tosfas lived)

(Translated by Google) An informative exhibition and an impressive place. (Original) Eine informative Ausstellung und ein beeindrckender Ort.

(Translated by Google) Worth seeing:-) (Original) Sehenswert:-)

(Translated by Google) Interesting museum. To gather some information for an hour. Not very special. (Original) Interessant museum. Om een uurtje wat informatie te vergaren. Niet heel byzonder.

(Translated by Google) Well worth seeing, the films in the media room are informative. (Original) Sehr sehenswert, die Filme im Medienraum sind informativ.

(Translated by Google) Really interesting historical knowledge about Jewish life in Speyer. Very nice employee, friendly atmosphere (Original) Wirklich interessantes Geschichtswissen über das jüdische Leben in Speyer. Sehr nette Mitarbeiterin, freundliche Atmosphäre

(Translated by Google) Historically interesting to look at! (Original) Historisch interessant anzusehen!

(Translated by Google) Very good memorial but definitely visit with a guide! (Original) Sehr gute Gedenkstätte aber unbedingt mit Führung besuchen!

(Translated by Google) If you come to Speyer you should definitely go there (Original) Wenn man nach Speyer kommt sollte man unbedingt da hin gehen

(Translated by Google) Anyone visiting Speyer should take the time to see this quiet place of history. Keyword - cultural togetherness !!! (Original) Wer Speyer besucht sollte sich die Zeit nehmen und diesen Stillen Ort der Geschichte ansehen. Stichwort- Kulturelles Miteinander !!!

(Translated by Google) Most exciting. It is highly recommended ! (Original) מרגש ביותר. מומלץ מאוד !

(Translated by Google) An absolute recommendation. Everyone who is interested in history should visit. A big thank you to all helpful employees! (Original) Eine absolute Empfehlung. Sollte eigentlich jeder der sich für Geschichte interessiert mal besuchen. Ein großes Danke an alle hilfsbereiten Mitarbeiterinnen!

(Translated by Google) Very well done museum (Original) Sehr gut gemachtes Museum

(Translated by Google) Very well preserved and memorable site (Original) Sehr gut erhaltene und denkwürdige Stätte

(Translated by Google) Exciting, interesting place with a lot of history. Absolutely worth seeing. The museum is certainly interesting too. (Original) Spannender, interessanter Ort mit viel Geschichte. Absolut sehenswert. Auch das Museum ist sicher interessant.

(Translated by Google) Jewish history, interesting (Original) הסטוריה יהודית, מעניין

(Translated by Google) Very good information about the Jewish culture in Speyer. (Original) Sehr gute Informationen über die Jüdische Kultur in Speyer.

(Translated by Google) Well worth seeing, interesting history of the Jewish quarter, well that not everything was destroyed. (Original) Sehr sehenswert, interessante Geschichte des jüdischen Viertels, gut dass nicht alles zerstört wurde.

(Translated by Google) Beautiful and absolutely worth seeing the Speyerer Jewish bath. In the truest sense of the word unique! There is nowhere else like a mikvah like these. Definitely worth a visit! (Original) Wunderschön und absolut sehenswert das Speyerer Judenbad. Im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes einzigartig! So eine Mikwe wie diese gibt es sonst nirgends. Auf jeden Fall einen Besuch wert!

(Translated by Google) A real experience. (Original) חוויה אמיתית.

(Translated by Google) Worth seeing (Original) Sehenswert

Amazing historical site

(Translated by Google) Mystical place from the early Middle Ages. Gives insights into Jewish culture and thus into the roots of Christianity. (Original) Mystischer Ort aus dem frühen Mittelalter. Gibt Einblicke in die jüdische Kultur und dadurch auch in die Wurzeln des Christentums.

Remarkable and moving!