Archaeologists in Rothenburg ob der Tauber have unearthed the foundation of the city's first synagogue. This discovery became unexpected, as the actual location of the foundations differs from what was previously believed.
The Jewish community in Rothenburg ob der Tauber was an important center of learning during the Middle Ages. Previously, information about the first synagogue was based only on historical images, according to which it was located on Kapellenplatz.
The foundation was found during the redesign of the square. Mathias Pfeil, General Conservator of the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation, emphasized the importance of such finds for understanding the history of European Jewry.
Despite the discovery, questions remain regarding the construction time and early history of the synagogue. It's unclear whether the women's section was demolished during the conversion to a chapel. The current excavations focus on construction areas, while the remaining parts of the building are under protective covering, allowing for future research.