The historic Jewish cemetery and recently restored synagogue are included in a program launched by the city of Alba Iulia that tags cultural sites with QR codes that can be accessed by visitors on smart phones and tablets.
Called “Discover the Cultural Heritage of Alba Iulia through QR Codes!” the project comprises 64 sites, each marked with an information plaque bearing QR code signage. (We briefly previewed the project in a November 2017 article when the synagogue was rededicated after renovation.)
The signage links to informative material for the sites in four languages — Romanian, English, French, and Italian.
“Whether you are a Romanian or a foreign tourist, you can have access to a free tourist-guiding system right on your mobile phone,” the web site states. “You just have to interact with scannable QR codes on information plates to discover the story of each tourist attraction.”
The project has been operative for a bit more than a year, and its web site also showcases information and videos of all the sites bearing QR codes as well as an interactive map and an upcoming events calendar. In addition to the synagogue and Jewish cemetery, the QR code sites include museums, churches, Roman ruins, the citadel, statues and monuments, palaces, and other historic buildings.
The €12,600 project was implemented by the municipality and co-financed by the Administration of the National Cultural Fund – ANCF (Romanian – Administrația Fondului Cultural Național – AFCN).
The inclusion of the Jewish sites in the QR project is part of the municipal administration’s efforts in recent years to restore and promote Jewish heritage in the city, with particular emphasis on the old Jewish cemetery.
Established in the 18th century and still used by the town’s tiny Jewish community, the cemetery is believed to be the oldest Jewish cemetery in Transylvania and one of the oldest in Romania. Extending over about 21,500 square meters, it includes 2,038 graves and 1,960 stones. It was used both by the initial Sephardic community but also by the Ashkenazi community, which over time became the majority Jewish community in the town.
Completed in 1840, the synagogue stands at 2, Tudor Vladimirescu Street and is believed to be the first masonry synagogue in Transylvania. Click HERE to see a Center for Jewish Art documentation of the synagogue.
“Discover the Cultural Heritage of Alba Iulia through QR Codes!” web site