Vienna
Permanent collection

Unser Mittelalter! Discover Vienna's First Jewish Community Exhibition

Explore this permanent exhibition revealing Vienna's foundational Jewish quarter and its significant medieval Synagogue through archaeological insights.

Step into the past at Museum Judenplatz to understand Vienna's first Jewish community. This permanent exhibition details its vibrant history from the 13th century, showcasing the evolution of the Jewish quarter and its significant Synagogue. Through archaeological discoveries and modern technology, visitors can experience this largely overlooked medieval period up to the 1420/21 expulsion.

About Unser Mittelalter! Die erste jüdische Gemeinde in Wien at Museum Judenplatz in Vienna

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Unser Mittelalter! Die erste jüdische Gemeinde in Wien at Museum Judenplatz in Vienna

Exhibition summary

This permanent exhibition at the Museum Judenplatz explores the history of Vienna's first Jewish community from the 13th century. It highlights the development of the Jewish quarter, the significant Synagogue, and the intellectual contributions of the community before its tragic expulsion in 1420/21. The exhibition utilizes archaeological findings, architectural research, and modern technology to make this largely forgotten period of Viennese history tangible.

Curatorial context

Located on Judenplatz, a site layered with centuries of Jewish history, the permanent exhibition 'Unser Mittelalter! Die erste jüdische Gemeinde in Wien' delves into Vienna's earliest Jewish community. Flourishing from the 13th century, this quarter boasted a magnificent Synagogue and became a hub for Jewish scholarship, attracting prominent rabbis. However, this vibrant era met a brutal end in 1420/21 with the expulsion and murder of its inhabitants by order of Duke Albrecht V., leading to a long period of historical neglect. In recent decades, especially with the establishment of the memorial for Austrian Jewish victims of the Shoah, the historical significance of the square and its past has been re-examined. The remarkable discovery of the Synagogue beneath the square has particularly refocused attention on this often-overlooked medieval epoch. Through contemporary archaeological and architectural research, complemented by the latest technologies, the exhibition reconstructs both the topography of the medieval Jewish quarter and the Synagogue destroyed in 1421. Artistic contributions, interactive elements, and child-friendly stations offer diverse perspectives on the life and history of Vienna's foundational Jewish community.

Admission and ticket notes

Information regarding ticketing and admission for the permanent exhibition can be found on the Museum Judenplatz's official website. Visitors are encouraged to check for any specific entry requirements or booking details.

Unser Mittelalter! Die erste jüdische Gemeinde in Wien key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Unser Mittelalter! Die erste jüdische Gemeinde in Wien at Museum Judenplatz in Vienna

Venue
Museum Judenplatz
Current status
Permanent collection
Exhibition schedule
Permanent display (no announced closing date)
Artist line / attribution
Curated by Astrid Peterle, Adina Seeger, Domagoj Akrap, and Janine Zettl. Exhibition design by PLANET architects; Fuhrer, Wien.
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