Synagogue

The building of the former Synagogue was restored from 1976 on and re-constructed to become a Cultural and Conference Centre. On 25 November 1985, the 75th anniversary of the inauguration of the Synagogue, the Town of Wittlich opened an exhibition under the title “Images of German-Jewish History”, which was to become the beginning of an intensive preoccupation with the destiny of Jewish fellow human beings. A working group was founded and another exhibition followed. It is the basis for the permanent exhibition to be seen in a house next to the Synagogue. On three floors visitors can inform themselves about the history of the Jews in Wittlich, which dates back until the 14th century.

At the beginning of the 20th century over 250 members of the Jewish community were fully integrated in the population. Their trade houses were located on the market place, many of them making their living from the cattle or textile trade. Like their neighbours, the men went to the First World War, their children attended the gymnastics club together. However, in 1933 after Hitler's election to become Chancellor of the Reich, Jewish shops began to be boycotted even in Wittlich. On 9 or 10 Nov 1938 the Synagogue was desecrated. Of the Jewish residents of Wittlich, every third one died in a concentration camp and none of these citizens returned to Wittlich. During the War the Synagogue also served as camp for French war prisoners. The barbed wire in the round window at the southern side of the Synagogue dates from this time. Recently it was welded into the window glass as an admonition. Guided tours through the exhibition and the Jewish cemetery as well as regularly changing exhibitions, concerts and lectures will inform you.