Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Worms

When Betty was here visiting we went to Worms, a city I didn't know much about. It turned out to be a really interesting visit. For one, Worms is the place where Martin Luther was called to account for his heresy. On a statue to him is his famous quote: Here I stand. I can do nothing else, may God help me. Amen!
I was also really interested by the Jewish community history in Worms. The Jewish residents were so well integrated that there was even a Jewish mayor in the 19th Century. The Jewish population was wiped out in the Nazi period, but the Synagogue has been rebuilt and there's an interesting museum. The Jewish cemetary is still there, too, with graves going back to the 12th century. It is beautiful.
The cathedral in Worms is also beautiful, especially when approached through the old city wall!


No comments: