Hohenems: The Jewish Quarter and the Nibelungs
A unique community in the Alpine Rhine Valley
TopicVorarlberg- Duration
- 2.0 hours
- Languages
- German, English
For centuries Hohenems in Vorarlberg was home to one of the most important Jewish communities in the Alpine region, and the Jewish Museum tells its story today. This private tour links the preserved Jewish quarter with the palace where manuscripts of the Nibelungenlied were found.
In 1617 Count Kaspar of Hohenems allowed Jewish families to settle here. A quarter grew with a synagogue, school, ritual bath and homes, preserved today with rare completeness.
Hohenems was the birthplace of cantor Salomon Sulzer, who shaped 19th century synagogue music. Many families later emigrated to Trieste, Vienna or America. The Jewish Museum in the Villa Heimann-Rosenthal tells their stories through to the era of persecution.
In the counts' Renaissance palace, two manuscripts of the medieval Nibelungenlied epic were discovered in the 18th century. Your guide also shows the Jewish cemetery on the hillside and tells of escapes across the nearby Swiss border.
Highlights
- Preserved Jewish quarter
- Jewish Museum in the Villa Heimann-Rosenthal
- Former synagogue
- Hohenems Palace and the Nibelungenlied
- Jewish cemetery
The route
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1Palace square
Palace and Nibelungenlied
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2Jewish quarter
Synagogue, school and ritual bath
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3Jewish Museum
Family stories
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4Jewish cemetery
Remembrance on the hillside
Who this tour is for
Suited to travelers interested in Jewish history, migration and European cultural history.
Frequently asked questions
Are entrance fees included?
No. Entrance fees and tickets for cable cars, trains, boats or tastings are not included and are paid on site. Your guide is happy to tell you in advance what to expect.
Is the price per person or per group?
This is a private tour with a licensed Austrian tour guide. The price is per group, not per person, so it is just you and your own party.
Is the Jewish Museum part of the tour?
Your guide can include a museum visit on request and leads you through the quarter. Museum admission is not included.
