Medieval Mikveh in Erfurt

Mittelalterliche Mikwe in Erfurt

In 2007 archaeologists discovered the medieval Mikveh Erfurt, which dates back to the 13th century. It was used by the first and second Jewish communities until the city council forced the emigration of Jews from Erfurt in 1453. The basin was filled in, the room above was used as a cellar until the 20th century. Besides the synagogue and cemetery, a mikveh was - and is - an important part of the Jewish ritual cleansing after contact with the dead, blood or other unclean things in a religious sense. Today a modern protective building serves to protect the archaeological find. The ritual bath can be visited as part of guided tours.

Certified in the period

December 2021 - November 2024

Accessibility certified People with walking disabilities Wheelchair users Deaf people Blind people People with cognitive impairments

Barrier-free information

Short Report as PDF

All areas relevant for testing meet the quality criteria of the label "Accessibility tested - partially barrier-free for people with walking disabilities and wheelchair users".

Some information on accessibility are listed below. Detailed information can be found in the test report at the end of the text.

  • There are parking spaces in the public parking area. The nearest parking spaces for people with disabilities are in thze "Michaelisstraße" near the old synagogue or in the "Predigerstraße" (distance to the entrance approx. 250m).
  • The path from the parking spaces to the entrance is not easy to walk and drive on.
  • The entrance to the Mikveh is accessible via a 6 m long ramp with 6% gradient and handrails without steps or thresholds. The entrance door is opened by service staff.
  • The Mikveh can only be visited as part of a guided tour. 
  • The viewing level indoors is 320 cm wide and 380 cm long. The underground of the path inside the Mikveh is a grating (slope 3% - 6%). The path gets narrower (from 150 cm to 100 cm width).
  • All evaluated rooms that can be used by the guest can be reached at ground level or via a ramp.
  • All evaluated passageways and doors are at least 90 cm wide.
  • The station/object/exhibit is visible, perceptible or recognizable while sitting.
  • Guided tours are offered for people with walking disabilities and wheelchair users. A reservation for the guided tour is necessary.
  • The entire route of the guided tour is steplessly accessible for wheelchair users. Mobile or fixed seating is available. 

Evaluation report: Download as PDF

All test relevant areas meet the quality criteria of the label "Accessibility tested - barrier-free for people with hearing impairment".

Some information on accessibility notes are listed below. Detailed information can be found in the test report at the end of the text.

  • There is no alarm.
  • Information about the station/object/exhibit is provided in written form. 
  • The Mikveh can only be visited as part of a guided tour. 
  • Guided tours are offered for people with hearing disabilities, but not for deaf people.  A reservation for the guided tour is necessary.
  • FM systems (e.g. headphones, neck ring loops) are available. 

Evaluation report: Download as PDF

All test relevant areas meet the quality criteria of the label "Accessibility tested - partially barrier-free for people with visual impairment".

Some information on accessibility are listed below. Detailed information can be found in the test report at the end of the text.

  • Assistance dogs are allowed.
  • The entrance is visually rich in contrast.
  • At the stairs to the Mikveh there is a visual and tactile contrast between the floor covering and the staircase. 
  • The Mikveh can only be visited as part of a guided tour. 
  • Information is available in legible font. 
  • Information is not available in Braille or prismatic font. 
  • The station/object/exhibit visually contrasts with the surroundings.
  • Path boundaries are visually rich in contrast and tactile.
  • Guided tours are offered for visually impaired and blind people.  A reservation for the guided tour is necessary.
  • During the guided tours, exhibits are integrated for touching.

Evaluation report: Download as PDF

All test relevant areas meet the quality criteria of the label "Accessibility tested - barrier-free for people with cognitive impairments".

Some information on accessibility are listed below. Detailed information can be found in the test report at the end of the text.

  • The name and logo of the company are clearly visible from the outside.
  • The destinations of the paths are in sight. 
  • The Mikveh can only be visited as part of a guided tour. 
  • There is information in photorealistic representation.
  • Guided tours are offered for people with cognitive impairments. A reservation for the guided tour is necessary.

Evaluation report: Download as PDF

Image gallery

Mittelalterliche Mikwe in Erfurt Mittelalterliche Mikwe in Erfurt
Plateau with display window to the Mikveh Plateau with display window to the Mikveh (René Strobach)
Mikveh Mikveh (René Strobach)