Mikwe

In 1424 the city of Cologne drove out its Jewish inhabitants almost without exception. The city's synogogue was turned into a new chapel for the Cityhall and the ceremonial baths were filled in. Nowadays, nothing remains of the synagogue, which was most likely the oldest in Europe. However, a small glass pyramid in the Rathausplatz leads into the antechamber of what was the Mikwe, or the ceremonial baths, which were built c. 1170. A spiral stairway leads down into the shaft, in which ritual cleansing with ground water was once carried out. The key to the Mikwe is kept during office hours by the porter at the Rathaus

Guided tours: first Sunday in the month, 10:30am

Copyright © 1999-2010 wcities.com All rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

• Attraction Type: Religious Buildings
• Average User Rating: 1.0 [rate it]

• Add to MY Places