Synagogue

Jewish life in Wörlitz

East of the palace garden and the church of St. Peter, a small, antique-looking round temple is reflected in the water of Lake Wörlitz. This is the former synagogue. Judaism and Christianity are united side by side in Wörlitz in the harmony of garden art – as a symbol of the enlightened and tolerant politics of Prince Franz in the 18th century.

History

of tolerance and intolerance

Wörlitz reflects the world in miniature. This was achieved by presenting different architectural styles as well as different cultures and religions. For the growing Jewish community of the city of Wörlitz under “Father Franz”, the synagogue was built from 1787 to 1790 according to designs by Friedrich Willhelm von Erdmannsdorff in the style of a Roman temple.

In 1938, the destruction of the synagogue was prevented by the courageous intervention of the garden director Hans Hallervorden. The desecration of the building by the National Socialists, however, took its course… The original interior of the synagogue is therefore lost to us today.

Come on in!

What to expect

Tolerance in the Garden Realm

Exhibition

Since 2003, a permanent exhibition in the main room of the synagogue has focused on the regional history of the Jews in Anhalt. Numerous objects and documents commemorate important events in German-Jewish regional history, the religion and culture of Judaism and the history of the striking synagogue building are highlighted.

Against forgetting

Tolerance Trail

From May to October 2024, volunteer guided tours will take place on the “Tolerance Trail” monument trail. The tour is reminiscent of the mindset of the Anhalt princes, who gave the Jews the right to live in the 17th century and made it possible to earn a living. And it recalls the bitter times of National Socialism, in which the former tolerance gave way to intolerance…

Information for your visit

Opening hours 2024

May to September
Tue–Sun, public holidays 12:00–16:00

Prices

1,00 €

Guided tours of the Tolerance Trail

Saturdays, May to October
The dates can be found in the event calendar .

Contact

State Association of Jewish Communities of Saxony-Anhalt
Phone +49 (0) 391. 56160 22
info@lv-sachsen-anhalt.de
lv-sachsen-anhalt.de

Any questions?

We are here for you

Gartenreich Dessau-Wörlitz

Touristinformation

in the kitchen building at Wörlitz Palace
Kirchgasse 35, D-06785 Oranienbaum-Wörlitz
Phone +49 (0) 3 49 05.3 10 09
info@welterbe-gartenreich.de
www.welterbe-gartenreich.de

We are here for you

Opening hours 2024

January to 15 March, November, December:
Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m

. March 16 to October 31:
Monday to Thursday, Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.