Guided tours of the Old Jewish Cemetery Mainz on UNESCO World Heritage Day on June 7
On the occasion of UNESCO World Heritage Day on Sunday, June 7, 2026, the state capital of Mainz invites you to guided tours of the Old Jewish Cemetery in Mainz. The guided tours are offered in cooperation with the local board of trustees of the German Foundation for Monument Protection at 13:00 and 14:00.
The idyllic Old Jewish Cemetery “Judensand” is located along Mombacher Straße. It is one of the oldest and largest medieval Jewish cemeteries in Europe. Since 2021, “Judensand” has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “SchUM Sites of Speyer, Worms, and Mainz.”
During the guided tour, you’ll learn what SchUM stands for and what makes it unique, as well as which notable figures were buried here in the Middle Ages. Tombstone symbols and burial and mourning rituals will also be explained. With support from the German Foundation for Monument Preservation, the tomb inscriptions are currently being restored. This conservation effort will also be explained in detail.
The year 2026 will thus be marked by the 5th anniversary of the UNESCO designation as well as the 100th anniversary of the historic cemetery. A visitor center is currently under construction at the Old Jewish Cemetery. The entrance area on Mombacher Straße is also being redesigned. Given these circumstances, access will be open on this day only as an exception, despite the construction site.
The meeting point for the guided tours is at Mombacher Straße 63. Participation in the tours is free. At the same time, we kindly ask for a donation to the German Foundation for Monument Protection. Men must wear head coverings when visiting the cemetery!
