What A Find!

 It was Sunday afternoon about 4 pm and I had just left my room at the Augustinerkloster. The weather was over cast and sprinkling lightly so I dashed up the cobblestone street looking for a cup of coffee. I turned left, then left again after the river bridge and found this small cobblestone ally about 6 feet wide.     I followed the path and ran into the Old Synagogue Erfurt--the construction of which began in 1100.  Beginning in the 12 century Jews and Christians co-existed pretty well in this town. But in 1349, after the Black Plague, and after many more gentiles died than Jews, the people reacted in rage and a pogrom of anger pushed the Jewish citizens into a ghetto.

The synagogue was converted into a store house, then later, into a dance hall during the 19th century--one in which Nazi officers danced and partied unaware that below them was in fact the remains and treasure of a wealthy Jewish family. Discovered in 1998, it created quite the stir and the marvelous museum was constructed in the site.Amazingly, it had not been recognized by the Third Reich and was undamaged. Years later, when the treasure was discovered--almost 66 pounds in total, and consisting of 3142 silver coins, and 700 examples of gold smith workmanship, including tableware, broaches, rings, garments and  attire of the 13 and 14 century--the marvelous museum was reconstructed and the synagogue space once again identified. This wedding ring is the premier item as the couple would exchange and place it on the finger of their betrothed.