Refurbishment of the mourning hall: A piece of Aachen history in danger!

Refurbishment of the mourning hall: A piece of Aachen history in danger!

On January 27, 2025, the necessary renovation of the mourning hall in the Jewish cemetery in Aachen was officially announced. The hall shows visible damage, including cracks in the walls, crumbling plaster and bad windows. Aachen Mayor Sibylle Keupen emphasized the urgent need to strengthen the substance and the foundation of the mourning hall. The renovation work should be completed by the end of 2026 so that the historical value of the hall is preserved. It is also sought to repair the roof and the lead glazing.

The mourning hall, which is part of the Jewish cemetery that has been used since 1822, may have an important work of art by the known painter Max Lazarus, which has been lost in other mourning halls from the Nazi era. Luzie Edelhoff, the expert responsible for monument preservation in Aachen, warned of further damage to painting that could arise from the current problems on the roof. These grievances required a careful renovation to preserve the character of the building.

historical background of the cemetery

The Jewish cemetery Liège Straße in Aachen, which was initiated by the Jewish community in 1820, has a story of over 200 years. He was officially transferred to the community in June 1822 and has served as a burial site since then. The oldest gravestone standing in the cemetery dates from the year of the opening. Today the cemetery houses 1366 gravestones for a total of 2153 deceased, with the last count in December 2014.

The main entrance of the cemetery shows the impressive tomb of the Feodor Meyer family, which was designed by Gustav Rutz and was equipped with a bronze cast by Förster & Kracht in 1902. It is a demonstrative sign of the meaning that this place has for the Jewish community in Aachen.

retention and challenges

Although the cemetery survived the Nazi era relatively undamaged, the Jewish community was repeatedly confronted with vandalism. The last desecration took place in the night from August 1, 2010, as anti-Semitic smearings and Nazi symbolism. The Mayor Keupen is much because of emphasizing the historical value of the cemetery and appreciating the achievements of the Jewish community in Aachen.

The Salomon-Ludwig Steinheim Institute offers extensive information about the history of Jewish cemeteries in Germany and provides educational material. It is a valuable resource for everyone who wants to deal with the local history and legacy of the Jewish communities. For more information, the contact person Nathanja Hüttenmeister can be reached at the institute ( Click here ).

The Jewish cemetery in Aachen is not only a place of grief, but also an important monument to the cultural heritage that needs to be preserved.