Mikvah in the Small Synagogue (Erfurt)

Until the renovation of the Small Synagogue, the mikvah in the Small Synagogue was filled in. However, in the building records of the 19th century, a "women's bath" is mentioned and in the basement floor plan, a facility with steps is drawn.

During an excavation in this area in 1994, the mikvah, made of sandstone, was uncovered. Seven steps lead down to the basin, which has a depth of 1.42 meters and a capacity of about 520 liters. In the east wall there are two pipe openings, possibly water pipes led to the Gera or the boiler plant in the northeast corner. Two water boilers are visible here on the construction drawings. One probably served as a collection basin for the pumped water, the other as a boiler - because in the 19th century a certain amount of heated water was allowed in the mikvah.

Whether the mikvah came into being with the construction of the synagogue in 1840, or was already part of the predecessor building, cannot be proven today.