The Mikveh

Eighteen steps lead down to the former ritual bath of the Judengasse: the mikveh, used for ritual immersion. Following the religious regulations it was supplied with water from a “natural source”. The plot for the bath had to be dug deep enough into the earth to reach groundwater levels. Traces of the water level can still be seen on the stones. The mikveh was installed during construction of the Steinerne Haus (The Stone House) in 1717. It was located 4 metres below the cellar. A private mikveh in a residential property was a real rarity. There was obviously also an outdoor entrance which enabled neighbours to enter the mikveh directly.