In Dubno

Posted on by 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 synagogue
Dubno synagogue
Dubno – old Jewish quarter
Dubno – old Jewish quarter
Dubno – old Jewish quarter

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An excursion to Ostroh

Posted on by 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 synagogue
Ostroh synagogue
Ostroh synagogue
Ostroh Jewish cemetery
Ostroh Jewish cemetery
Ostroh Jewish cemetery
Ostroh Jewish cemetery
Ostroh Jewish cemetery
Ostroh Jewish cemetery
Ostroh Jewish cemetery
Ostroh Jewish cemetery
Ostroh Jewish cemetery
Ostroh Jewish cemetery
Ostroh Jewish cemetery
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A walk through Lutsk

Posted on by 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 castle
Lutsk – Jewish community center
Lutsk – old town
Lutsk – former Jewish district
Lutsk – former Jewish district
Lutsk – synagogue
Lutsk – memorial plaque at the synagogue
Lutsk – synagogue
Lutsk – synagogue
Lutsk – protestant church
A warming cat on my shoes
Lutsk – house on an artist

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Into The Nothing

Posted on by under Volhynia (Volyn)

Trochenbrod (Trachimbrod, Sofiyovka) was an all-Jewish town that was completely wiped out. Not a single stone has been preserved from a place with formerly 6,000 residents. Nevertheless Trochenbrod has a unique afterlife – the place became famous through Jonathan Safran Foer’s novel “Everything Is Illuminated” and the film adaptation by the same title. Like many others, I thought Trochenbrod was fiction. But Trochenbrod existed.

Trochenbrod memorial
Trochenbrod memorial
Trochenbrod memorial
Trochenbrod memorial
Trochenbrod – former main road
On the way to Trochenbrod

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Lviv welcomed me with snow

Posted on by under Eastern Galicia

After so many years of returning, it is a kind of homecoming when I go back to Lviv (Lwow, Lemberg). This time, Lviv welcomed me with snow. Upon my arrival at the airport heavy white snowflakes were falling and now it looks like it will not stop. A nice start for a new journey.

Mickiewicz Square – in front of the George
George Hotel
Christmas tree (left), me (right) in George Hotel 🙂

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My book coming soon

Posted on by under Eastern Galicia, Northern Bukovina

Many of you followed my wanderings through Galicia and Bukovina and I’m grateful to you and your comments. With me was my old camera; I took photos whenever I was travelling in the last two years. Classic black and white photography. Thanks to the Rhineland Regional Association I’m now able to publish some of my photos as a book.

Titel “Spurensuche”

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Krakow in black and white

Posted on by under Jewish Cemeteries, Western Galicia

Today I received the scans of the films shot during the recent trip to Krakow. Without further comments I post here a first selection of pictures. They were taken on a foggy day at the two Jewish cemeteries of the city and at the site of former Plaszow concentration camp. If you like to learn more about the trip you should read the posts from October 30 and November 1.

Krakow – Old Jewish Cemetery
Krakow – Old Jewish Cemetery
Krakow – Old Jewish Cemetery
Krakow – Old Jewish Cemetery
Krakow – New Jewish Cemetery
Krakow – New Jewish Cemetery
Krakow – Plaszow concentration camp site
Krakow – Plaszow concentration camp site
Krakow – Plaszow concentration camp site

In The Mist

Posted on by under Western Galicia

Podgorze is the other Krakow. West of Vistula river – opposite the old town – there are no magnificent old buildings, no picturesque places and no cozy cafes for locals and tourists. Severity hangs over the houses from the 19th century and the interwar period. Many facades are blackened by the smoke of industry, some house are empty – the windows boarded up. Podgorze is the district in which the Nazis established a ghetto – for its Jewish inhabitants it was the beginning of the end. Further west is Plaszow, the territory of a former concentration camp.

Podgorze – remains of the ghetto wall
Podgorze
Plaszow – mansion of the camp commander
Plaszow – accomodation of the SS guards
Plaszow – blown up building
Plaszow – blown up building
Plaszow
Plaszow
Plaszow
Plaszow
Plaszow – quarry
Plaszow – quarry

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Krakow – No Sentimental Journey

Posted on by 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 – Old Jewish Cemetery
Krakow – Old Jewish Cemetery
Krakow – Old Jewish Cemetery
Krakow – wall painting in Isaac Synagogue
Krakow – Temple Synagogue
Krakow – shop sign of a hat maker
Krakow – New Jewish Cemetery
Krakow – New Jewish Cemetery
Krakow – New Jewish Cemetery
Krakow – Beit Midrash (study house) in Kazimierz

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