GENERAL
JewishGen Denmark Special Interest Group Page
Links to pages and photographs about Jewish cemeteries and other heritage sites in individual towns, as well as other resources on history and genealogy
Danish-Jewish Funerals and Tombstones until 1886
A photo documentation, including old photos, of all the existing headstones for all known Jewish burials in Denmark up to 1886.
The Royal Library Garden
Proviantpassagen 6
DK-1218 Copenhagen K
Tel: +45 33 112218
Email info@jewmus.dk
The Museum’s building was designed by Daniel Libeskind and opened to the public in June 2004. Its design rests on five concepts, corresponding to the five themes of the exhibition itself: Exodus /Arrival; Wilderness/Standpoints; the Giving of the Law/Traditions; Promised Lands; Mitzvah.
COPENHAGEN
Active Jewish community; Jewish museum; Synagogue; two Jewish cemeteries.
Jewish Copenhagen (Tourist Board site)
Great Synagogue of Copenhagen
Krystalgade 12
Longitude : 12.5737036
Latitude : 55.6809619
Designed in an “oriental” style by the German-born Danish architect Gustav Friedrich Hetsch (1788-1864) and completed in 1833, the synagogue, at Krystalgade 12, has a severe exterior but sumptuous sanctuary noted for the massive framing of the Ark and the rows of gilded columns supporting the women’s gallery. Hetsch also designed Copenhagen’s Roman Catholic Saint Ansgar’s Cathedral.
The synagogue underwent a 23 million Danish kroner (about $3.7 million) renovation just before the Covid 19 pandemic.
Jewish Cemeteries
The Old, or Northern, Jewish Cemetery (Møllegade 12, 2200 at Nørrebro), was established in 1694. It has more than 5,000 gravestones and is no longer in use. The tombstone of the first person buried there, David Israel, is the oldest Jewish tombstone in Denmark. The Jewish community opened the cemetery to the public in 2011 after years of restoration work. (It is is open between April 1 and October 1, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and guided tours are available by contacting the Jewish Museum — info@jewmus.dk.)
The New or Western Jewish Cemetery (at Vestre Kirkegårds Alle 11, 2500 Valby) established in 1886, is still used by the community. It has an elaborate ceremonial hall dating to 1888 and designed by Frederik Levy, an important Danish-Jewish architect who trained in the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and designed many buildings for the Jewish community, and two Holocaust memorials. It is open for visitors on weekdays until nightfall; closed on Shabbat and Jewish holidays; guided tours are available by contacting the Jewish Museum — info@jewmus.dk.)
JewishGen Web Page on Copenhagen Jewish Cemeteries
This page links to photographs and a database of burials.
ELSEWHERE IN DENMARK
Aalborg – Jewish cemetery on Sct. Jorgensgade/Hasserisgade, established 1810
Aarhus – Jewish cemetery on Frederiks Alle, established 1824
Assens – Jewish cemetery on Kildebakken, established 1825
Faaborg – Jewish cemetery on Osterbrogade/Svendborgvej, established 1795
Fredericia – Jewish cemetery on Slesviggade, established in the late 17th century
The largest and oldest Jewish cemetery in Denmark outside of Copenhagen, it has some 550 burial plots. During the summer, exhibits on Jewish history are mounted in the former ceremonial hall.
Jews were allowed to settle in Fredericia in 1674, when King Christian the 5th issued a new set of privileges that among other things guaranteed religious freedom. A synagogue was built in 1719 — and demolished in 1915. A memorial marks the spot.
The Fredericia Town Museum has a section on Jewish history
Jernbanegade 10
7000 Fredericia
Tel.: +45 7210 6980
Mail: museerne@fredericia.dk
Horsens – Jewish cemetery on Frederiksgade, established 1850
Nakskov – Jewish cemetery on Jodevej, established c. 1700
Odense – Jewish cemetery on Vandvaerskvej/Kirkegardsalle, established 1825
Randers – Jewish cemetery on Ostervangsvej/Udbyhojvej, established 1807
Slagelse – Jewish cemetery on Parkvej I, established 1863