Photo: Thomas Lohnes

They are the first German-Jewish additions to the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Source: Germany celebrates UNESCO World Heritage listing for sites known as the birthplace of Yiddish and Ashkenazi culture – Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Photo: Phillip Walter Wellman

The cities of Speyer, Worms and Mainz, in the German state of Rheinland-Pfalz, all provide lessons about their Jewish communities throughout the centuries, especially during the Middle Ages.

Source: Rhine River urban sites shine light on centuries of Jewish history in Germany

Photo: Generaldirektion Kulturelles Erbe Rheinland-Pfalz

The buildings served as prototypes for later Jewish community and religious buildings as well as cemeteries in Europe.

Source: Jewish sites in Germany added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list

Photo: Hamodia

World Heritage Site status was awarded to the Roman Limes along the Rhine River and Germany’s Jewish cultural heritage by UNESCO, the U.N.’s cultural body said on Tuesday. The relevant committee took the decision at its meeting in the Chinese city of Fuzhou, awarding the coveted recognition to the German cities of Mainz, Worms and Speyer as one of the cradles of Jewish culture in Europe.

Source: UNESCO Awards Heritage Status to German Jewish Centers | Hamodia.com

Photo: Deutsche Welle

The move marks the first ever UNESCO recognition of Jewish cultural heritage in Germany. A stretch of the Roman military border, the Limes, also received recognition.

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