The construction of the Jewish Museum MiQua in Cologne is progressing: on Monday, the first of 15 roof pyramids was erected to complete the first construction phase. Representatives of the city of Cologne spoke of “one of the most exciting construction sites in Germany at the moment”. In the anniversary year “1700 years of Jewish life in Germany”, the interest in the project could hardly be greater. The museum should be ready in 2024. It presents the re-excavated medieval Jewish quarter of Cologne.
Image: APA (dpa)
A Jewish community has been documented in Cologne since the year 321, making it the oldest north of the Alps. In 1349 the quarter was destroyed; its residents were murdered or driven out. The Jews were then blamed for the outbreak of the plague.
After the opening, visitors to the museum will be able to relive life in the Jewish quarter during the time of the knights and minstrels on a 600-meter-long course – and also the governor's palace from Roman times, which was rediscovered in the 1950s and which is right next to it. The museum is named MiQua after the name of the Jewish ritual bath, mikveh. According to current planning, the construction costs amount to 95 million euros.
The exhibits will include many artifacts found during the excavations. Below is a crescent-shaped, gem-studded gold earring from the 11th century.
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