Planning for the new visitor center began as early as 2021, following a design competition launched in 2019. The contract to build the center was awarded to the firm Holzer/Kobler Architekturen, while the landscaping will be handled by Sinai Landschaftsarchitekten.

A Unique Site of Global Significance
The Old Jewish Cemetery on Judensand, where members of the Jewish community were buried from the 11th to the 19th century, not only houses the oldest gravestones in Central Europe but also commemorates outstanding Jewish scholars such as Gerschom ben Jehuda. Their work and scholarship have had a lasting impact on Jewish life in Central Europe right up to the present day.

Outlook for the Visitor Center and the 2026 Opening
The new visitor center is scheduled to open in 2026, the anniversary year of the memorial cemetery. Visitors from around the world will then be able to learn about the rich history of the SchUM sites there; at the same time, the center will facilitate careful tourist development that respects the rules of Halacha.

The City of Mainz has committed to managing the cemetery in accordance with Jewish traditions and preserving it for future generations. Particular emphasis is placed on the preservation of the gravestones.

Special attention is being paid to the stability of the gravestones, which is to be ensured for 75 graves by the end of the year. The gravestones, some of which date back to the 11th century, tell the stories of Jewish scholars and martyrs who were of great significance to Jewish culture and the intellectual heritage of Central Europe. These stories will be made accessible worldwide in the future through digital documentation.

The surveying and digital documentation of all 1,700 gravestones will enable precise management and long-term maintenance of the site. Furthermore, the international visibility of the SchUM sites is to be further enhanced through free guided tours and fundraising campaigns.

The redesign of the sidewalk along Mombacher Straße creates a plaza-like space in front of the entrance, forming a break in the cityscape and drawing the attention of passersby and cyclists to the cemetery. An architecturally appealing canopy at the entrance, seating areas with a view of the cemetery, and informational panels about the cemetery create a welcoming setting.

Interventions within the cemetery itself are kept to a minimum. Only the path surface is subtly redesigned, and some spolia from the former main synagogue—destroyed in 1938—are carefully relocated. A central element of the project is the so-called “speaking shell”—a continuous yew hedge approximately 550 meters long that surrounds the cemetery like a protective casket. Together with an anthracite-colored slatted fence and strategically placed viewing windows, this creates an aesthetic enclosure that underscores the dignity and significance of the site.

A Special Place with a Unique View
The new visitor center will be built on a raised platform offering a fascinating view of the cemetery and its old trees. The balcony-like layout not only provides visitors with a unique perspective on the gravestones but also creates a meeting place and a spot to linger, inviting them to pause and reflect.

Sustainable landscape design
The area surrounding the visitor center will be planted with additional trees, while the existing green spaces will be preserved as much as possible. The renovated pedestrian path connecting Mombacher Straße and Paul-Denis-Straße, as well as a turning area for tour buses, have also been integrated into the plans. The paving will be made of high-quality natural stone to preserve the historic character of the site.
Access to the memorial cemetery is reserved for the faithful, but a walking path will offer all visitors fascinating views of the valuable gravestones.