in detail
The Ashkenazi Synagogue, in use until 1939, was opened in 1901.
On 16 September 1943, following the period of German occupation, the first deportations of Italian Jews from Italy were carried out under the leadership of Alfons Niederwieser. The Jews were first deported to the Reichenau concentration camp (Austria). From there, the majority were deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Other Jews of Merano were later imprisoned in the Bolzano police transit camp and deported from there.
The Wehrmacht used the looted synagogue as storage space until the end of the war. The »Bricha« (Jewish underground organization) smuggled thousands of Jews after the war from refugee camps via Merano to Italy, so that they could reach Palestine from there.
The reestablishment of the community and the opening of the synagogue, which is still in use today, took place in 1945.
The sanatorium for Jews who had survived the camps, which is situated next to the synagogue, was reopened in 1946. The sanatorium remained in operation until 1953.
In 1996, the Jewish Museum was officially opened in the basement of the synagogue in Merano. The permanent exhibition tells the story of the Jewish community in Merano from the end of the 19th century to the Second World War. An area with nine display cabinets is dedicated to the Holocaust and in particular to the deportation of the Merano Jews.
On 16 September 1943 in Merano, the first Jews were deported from Italy, initially to Reichenau concentration camp (Austria) and from there to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
The Wehrmacht used the synagogue in Merano which was opened in 1901, as storage space.
In 1945 after the end of the War, the Jewish community began to re-establish itself and the synagogue was reopened.
The official opening of the Jewish Museum in the basement of the synagogue took place in 1996.
1901
Opening of the Ashkenazi Synagogue which was used until 1939.
16 September 1943
Deportation from Merano of the first Italian Jews under the leadership of Alfons Niederwieser.
1943 to 1945
Utilization of the looted synagogue by the Wehrmacht as storage space.
1945
Reestablishment of the Jewish Community and reopening of the synagogue.
1996
Official opening of the Jewish Museum in the basement of the synagogue.
