Judengasse, Trier

Judengasse in Trier near Trier's main market square was the center of the city's medieval Jewish quarter.

It stretches between Simeon-, Jakob- and Stockstraße and runs diagonally from the market from southeast to northwest. Halfway along it, it turns north and joins Stockstraße. Presumably at this place the "Große Judenplatz" is also documented. The square and alley served the inner development of the quarter, which was first mentioned in writing in 1066 and was of great importance for the city and the archbishopric. In the first half of the 14th century the Jewish quarter consisted of about 60 houses with synagogue, community hall and other Jewish institutions. From the tradition about the quarter in the Middle Ages it was even possible to create a plot plan.

From the main market you can enter the Judengasse through the Judenpforte. This building was first laid out in 1219 and rebuilt in 1607-1608. Above it are half-timbered houses from the Renaissance around 1600.

With the persecution and expulsion of the Jews from the city and the archdiocese in 1349, the history of the Jewish quarter as the center of the Jewish presence in Trier also ended. Today, the alley is home to several catering establishments, among others. In recent years, the city of Trier has stepped up its efforts to present the ensemble in a way that is both appealing to tourists and historically adequate, and to this end has developed a new presentation concept in cooperation with the University of Trier.