The Jewish Cemetery

The Jewish cemeteries in the Lower Rhineland bear witness to Jewish faith and culture. They tell the story of the life and death of Jewish people who lived in this area - "Under each tombstone lies world history" (Heinrich Heine). They are, however, not only places of the past, but places of eternal peace.

The cemetery in Xanten is a very special one: the graves are arranged in three concentric circles. This is an example of traditional Jewish burial culture with its consistent and harmonious style.

Its location outside the town walls is in accordance with Jewish law.

The extent to which Jews living in a small town in the Lower Rhineland in the 19th century were subjected to discrimination and prejudice is portrayed in the novel "Es geschah im Nachbarhaus" (It happened in the house next-door) by the author Willi Fährmann, who lives in Xanten.

The cemetery is accessible via Heeser Weg (about 3km from the town centre).