Our core group experienced urbanity and religion in the lanes of Erfurt. Members of the KFG prepared short presentations at spots connected to Religion and Urbanity along a route through Erfurt. Following the increasing enthusiasm for Marian devotion the Virgin Mary wore a blue mantle , blue, unpopular until then, was in high demand from the 12 th and 13 th centuries onwards.
Our first station gave us the opportunity to discover the Augustinian monastery Augustinerkloster , a well preserved architectural complex and an example of the long and dynamic religious life of the city. Erfurt not only witnessed the creation of multiple churches, chapters and convents, but it also fostered a rich theological and intellectual life.
This eventually helped the foundation of the university in our second station , and influenced the paths of great theologians, philosophers and reformers, such as Meister Eckhart and Martin Luther. The Dom with its peculiar monumental platform and north side portal is an important landmark of the city.
The Cathedral, alongside the church St. Severi next to it, stations five and six on our walk continue to dominate the city. Well embedded in the core of the city fabric, the Jewish buildings testify by their presence and location to the entanglement of urban and religious life. They also bear the marks of terrible clashes that repeatedly resulted in the complete disappearance of the Jewish community. The visit of the mikwe station three showed us how water and religious practices were taken care of in the tense urban context.
Another spot of Jewish life in Erfurt is the impressive Old Synagogue. The walk was an inspiring experience, evidenced by the fact that we did not lose any participants, despite the terrible heat of this Thursday noon.
