A Rare Find

Remains of the Jewish ritual bath, called a mikwa, were found near Erfurt's Krämerbrücke (Krämer Bridge). The two-story high construction had been located in the cellar of a building along the bank of the Gera River. The bath was especially well preserved, according to Sven Ostritz of the Thuringian state authority for historical protection and archeology.

The Erfurt mikwa's existence had been documented in the year 1250, but in a systematic search for it several years ago archeologists had failed to locate it, Ostritz said.

The town is also the site of a medieval synagogue, which was built around 1100 and is currently being renovated. The city plans to install a permanent exhibition on the importance of Erfurt's Jewish community in the building.

Tourist attraction

Few medieval mikwas have been preserved in Germany, Ostriz said, drawing attention to those in Worms, Speyer, Cologne and Sondershausen, which is also in the state of Thuringia.

The head of Thuringia's Jewish community, Wolfgang Nossen, told German news agency dpa that the find could help to make attract tourists to the town.

"Tourists only visit cities where they are offered something unique," he said.

Mikwas are used for the ritual washing of dishes and for women to clean themselves after menstruation and giving birth.