October 3, 2026, marked the 100th anniversary of the ceremonial dedication of the Memorial Cemetery at the Old Jewish Cemetery on Judensand. As one of the earliest Jewish memorial sites of the 20th century, the Memorial Cemetery preserves medieval gravestones and memorial stones and brings to light the centuries-old history of Mainz’s Jewish community. With the “100 Years of the Memorial Cemetery” anniversary and the fifth anniversary of the UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising the SchUM Sites in Speyer, Worms, and Mainz, two anniversaries this year provide an opportunity to reflect on the history, significance, and future of this extraordinary place. The SchUM-Städte e.V., together with the State Capital of Mainz and the Rhineland-Palatinate Directorate General for Cultural Heritage, invites you to a study day at the Landesmuseum Mainz on October 29. The event will focus on the history of the cemetery, Jewish and Christian burial and remembrance traditions, as well as current issues in archaeology and historic preservation.

The full press release is attached.