Hanau in Main-Kinzig-Kreis, Hesse, Germany — Central Europe
Die Ghettomauer
⎯⎯⎯
The Ghetto Wall
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 26, 2024
1. Die Ghettomauer / The Ghetto Wall Marker
Die Mauer wurde ab Ende des 17. Jahrhunderts an Stelle der älteren hölzernen Abgrenzung errichtet.
Die im November 1806 einrückenden französischen Truppen zerstörten die Tore des Ghettos.
Die aus dem revolutionären Frankreich stammende Rechtsgleichheit beendete vorübergehend die rechtliche Diskriminierung der Juden. Trotz der Restauration wurde ab 1813 die Gleichberechtigung allmählich erreicht.
Jüdische Hanauer hatten einen großen Anteil am wirtschaftlichen und kulturellen Leben unserer Stadt. Durch die nationalsozialistische Diktatur ist die Judengemeinde vernichtet worden.
The boundary of the Jewish alley, which was built in 1604, towards the fortifications of the new town.
The wall was built at the end of the 17th century to replace the older wooden barrier.
The French troops that moved in in November 1806 destroyed the gates of the ghetto.
The legal equality that came from revolutionary France temporarily ended the legal discrimination
this page online
Jewish Hanau residents played a major role in the economic and cultural life of our city. The Jewish community was wiped out by the National Socialist dictatorship.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Man-Made Features. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1806.
Location. 50° 8.14′ N, 8° 55.169′ E. Marker is in Hanau, Hessen (Hesse), in Main-Kinzig-Kreis. It is at the intersection of Nordstraße and Am Freiheitsplatz, on the right when traveling north on Nordstraße. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hanau HE 63450, Germany. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hanau Synagogue Memorial (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Zum Gedenken an die Jüdischen Gemeinde Hanau / In Memory of the Jewish Community of Hanau I (about 90 meters away); Zum Gedenken an die Jüdischen Gemeinde Hanau / In memory of the Jewish Community of Hanau II (about 90 meters away); „Mann mit Bart“ / “Man with Beard” (about 90 meters away); Dietrich Bonhoeffer (about 120 meters away); Vogelschau auf Hanau / Bird’s-eye view of Hanau (about 120 meters away); Fundament der Bastion / Foundation of the Bastion
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 26, 2024
2. Die Ghettomauer / The Ghetto Wall Marker - wide view
The marker is on the north side of the wall. There is signage.
More about this marker. The marker is just to the east of the traffic circle where Freiheitsplatz and Nordstrasse meet. It isn’t visible from afar, but the wall itself is easy to find.
Also see . . . Ghetto-Mauer Hanau (Wikipedia, in German). Excerpt (in translation):
The Hanau Ghetto Wall is the last original structural remnant of the Jewish ghetto in the city of Hanau.(Submitted on December 24, 2024.)
The wall runs along the south side of the properties in the southern section of Nordstrasse, the former Judengasse, in Hanau. The wall demarcated the Jewish ghetto from Hanau Neustadt. The wall runs along a footpath that connects Freiheitsplatz with the Main-Kinzig-Halle and is therefore easily accessible.
The function of the wall as a ghetto wall was probably secondary, and its original function is not clearly established. It may be the last Renaissance-era remnant of the fortifications of Hanau's old town. At its eastern end, a foundation block of a powder tower from the city fortifications was placed, which was uncovered during the construction of the neighboring police headquarters. The ghettowall is one of the few that have survived in Germany. It is a cultural monument according to the Hessian Monument Protection Act.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 26, 20243. Die Ghettomauer / The Ghetto Wall - south side of the wallThe south side of the ghetto wall has been turned into a memorial for victims of the Nazis, with memorial plaques for the victims.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 111 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 24, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
