Speyer – a global city thanks to its Jewish community?

The Jewry-Court in Speyer is located in the heart of the city in close proximity to the cathedral. In the High Middle Ages, a Jewish community is considered to be a key factor behind a city that is powerful in terms of both its economy and politics. The importance of a Jewish community in this period is illustrated by a certificate issued by Rüdiger Huzmann, Bishop of Speyer, in 1084: “I, Rüdiger, surnamed Huzmann, Bishop of Speyer, believed that by striving to make a global city out of the village of Speyer, I would increase the honour of our location if were to bring in the Jews.”