GORINCHEM – Last week, the municipal Archaeology Working Group successfully conducted a study in the Nursery Street in Gorinchem. The remains found belonged to the former synagogue that was located here between 1841 and 1958. Despite the rigorous demolition in the fifties, an important part of the former church building was found. The remains have been mapped and photographed. The most sensational find was a Jewish ritual bath (mikveh).
Mikveh of the former synagogue on Kwekelstraat in Gorinchem
The mikveh, built according to strict religious regulations, is an important part of a synagogue. At the wedding, the bride uses it shortly before the wedding day. The married woman is expected to purify herself in the bath with an immersion after each menstruation.
The bathing place was located in the consistory, a small building directly adjacent to the back of the synagogue. In 1902 a new bathing facility was created in the adjacent house (Kwekelstraat 24 – 26). In this still existing building, nothing reminds us of this function.
In an associated waterway, household waste from the 19e/20th century. The contents were sieved and in addition to a large quantity of shards of tableware, a striking amount of waste from large river fish (pike, sturgeon, etc.) was found. The finds will be further examined in the coming months.
In consultation with ING Vastgoed, the project developer who will soon start new construction on the site, a solution is being sought to preserve the mikveh as a monument and possibly include it in the new construction.
Press release Municipality of Gorinchem
February 24, 2000