High up in the Carpathians

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Christian Herrmann under Jewish Cemeteries, Southern Bukovina, Synagogues

Today we traveled further west, deeper into the Carpathians. The Monastery of Voroneţ and the Jewish heritage of Vama and Câmpulung Moldovenesc were on our way. Again and we looked for the remaining traces of Jewish Bukovina, for cemeteries and synagogues.

Voroneţ Monastery

Vama Jewish cemetery

Câmpulung Moldovenesc synagogue

Câmpulung Moldovenesc Jewish cemetery

Câmpulung Moldovenesc synagogue

High up in the Carpathians

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Arrival in Romania

Posted on April 4, 2015 by Christian Herrmann under Synagogues, Transylvania (Siebenbürgen)

I like Europe. A two hour flight brings you into a completely different world. Today I arrived in Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvár, Klausenburg), a city in Transylvania (Siebenbürgen), Romania. My friends Petra and Achim picked me up at the airport, with them I will be traveling in the next 2 weeks.

Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvár, Klausenburg)

Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvár, Klausenburg), synagogue

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A last excursion to Galicia

Posted on January 2, 2015 by Christian Herrmann under Eastern Galicia, Jewish Cemeteries, Synagogues

Again, I was travelling with Vasyl and Renata. I highly appreciate both of them – because of their kindness and because of their excellent knowledge of local history. My journey is slowly coming to an end and it was a final opportunity to explore Galicia during this trip. Olesko and Busk were the places we went to.

Olesko Jewish cemetery

Olesko synagogue

Olesko castle

Busk synagogue

Busk Jewish cemetery

Busk Jewish cemetery – mass grave site

Busk Jewish cemetery

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A few words about Rivne

Posted on January 1, 2015 by Christian Herrmann under Synagogues, Volhynia (Volyn)

What can I say about Rivne, the city where I stayed for my trips to Ostroh and Dubno? Very little is left from old Rivne. The city was rebuilt after the war in Stalin style. The suburbs consist mainly of Soviet apartment blocks from the Brezhnev era. In the center is a huge theater – sculptures dance on its roof into a bright future that never took place.

Rivne Theatre

Rivne Theatre – sculptures dance on its roof into a bright future that never took place

Rivne – main street

Last synagogue of Rivne

Rivne – former synagogue

Rivne – Orthodox church, one of the last buildings of old Rivne

Rivne – empty square on New Year’s Eve

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In Dubno

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Christian Herrmann under Synagogues, Volhynia (Volyn)

In Dubno probably more historical substance is preserved then in much larger Rivne, where I stay in a hotel. At the market square a number of typical Jewish functional houses are still standing, with a shop in the ground floor and an apartment with balcony on the first floor. One of Dubno’s most important monuments is the former synagogue. It is easy to find and is located in close vicinity to the central market square.

Dubno synagogue

Dubno – old Jewish quarter

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An excursion to Ostroh

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Christian Herrmann under Jewish Cemeteries, Synagogues, Volhynia (Volyn)

The synagogue of Ostroh is in a sad state. However, the Jewish cemetery was found in surprisingly good condition during my today’s visit. I have rarely seen such a well-kept Jewish cemetery in Ukraine.

Ostroh synagogue

Ostroh Jewish cemetery

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A walk through Lutsk

Posted on December 29, 2014 by Christian Herrmann under Synagogues, Volhynia (Volyn)

Volhynia was ruled from Lutsk for centuries. The impressive fortress that was never conquered throughout its history, still bears witness of this periode. The massive towers of the fortress are without doubt the landmark of the city, but there is more to discover. Join me on a walk through Lutsk with its multiethnic past and present!

Lutsk castle

Lutsk – Jewish community center

Lutsk – old town

Lutsk – former Jewish district

Lutsk – synagogue

Lutsk – memorial plaque at the synagogue

Lutsk – synagogue

Lutsk – protestant church

A warming cat on my shoes

Lutsk – house on an artist

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Krakow – No Sentimental Journey

Posted on October 30, 2014 by Christian Herrmann under Jewish Cemeteries, Synagogues, Western Galicia

In Krakow, my love to Eastern Europe and its Jewish heritage begun about 20 years ago. Since then I have been there again and again. Last weekend I was back in Krakow. Much has changed since my first visit. Krakow is now a city of mass tourism and it is also the Jewish past and present, which attracts visitors from all over the world.

Krakow – Old Jewish Cemetery

Krakow – wall painting in Isaac Synagogue

Krakow – Temple Synagogue

Krakow – shop sign of a hat maker

Krakow – New Jewish Cemetery

In Krakow, my love to Eastern Europe and its Jewish heritage begun about 20 years ago. Since then I have been there again and again. Last weekend I was back in Krakow. Much has changed since my first visit. Krakow is now a city of mass tourism and it is also the Jewish past, which attracts visitors from all over the world. https://vanishedworld.wordpress.com/2014/10/30/krakow-no-sentimental-journey/

Krakow – Beit Midrash (study house) in Kazimierz

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Uhniv, Buchach and Hrymailiv in black and white

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Christian Herrmann under Eastern Galicia, Jewish Cemeteries, Synagogues

The black and white films and scans from my recent trip to Ukraine are back from the photo lab. The synagogue and the Beit Midrash (House of Study) in Uhniv, the Jewish cemetery in Buchach and the imposing synagogue in Hrymailiv are among the subjects. Here is a first selection.

Uhniv – Synagogue and Beit Midrash (House of Study)

Buchach – Jewish cemetery

Hrymailiv – synagogue

A hidden prayer room

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Christian Herrmann under Eastern Galicia, Synagogues

In Lviv (Lwow, Lemberg) are the remains of the most famous and oldest synagogue in the territory of Ukraine, the “Golden Rose”. Of the approximately 70 synagogues in the city only two more have survived the German occupation, almost every guidebook mentions them. Virtually unknown, however, is a prayer room which is hidden in a basement.