Old Jewish cemetery

Beschreibung

In 1671, Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg and Duke of Prussia - known as "the Great Elector" because of his military, political achievements and, in particular, his policy of religious tolerance -, allowed fifty Jewish families, who had been expelled from Vienna by order of Emperor Leopold I, to settle in the Mark Brandenburg. This meant that for the first time since their expulsion of 1573, Jews were once again living in Berlin. A piece of land, which was still outside the city gates, was purchased and used as a burial ground by the newly established community. Thousands of Jews were buried here until it was closed in 1827.