The theme was integrated into the Council of Europe programme in March 2004 and the route is awarded certification as a “Cultural Route of the Council of Europe” on 5 December 2005.
Jewish Heritage is an integral part of European history and culture. Much of Jewish history and culture is rooted in Europe, with a story made of migrations, persecutions and precariousness; but also of exchanges, humanism and a profusion of mutual enrichment. Yet, for a long time, Jews of Europe were considered as a broken remnant of what had been an old and original tradition.
The European Jewish heritage mainly includes: archaeological sites, old synagogues and cemeteries, ritual baths, Jewish quarters, monuments and memorials; archives and libraries held by Jewish and non-Jewish institutions; a growing number of museums to study, to protect and to publicise Jewish life and its religious and daily afrefacts.
The European Route of Jewish Heritage highlights and links these buildings which have been left to us by the Jewish communities across Europe. Its main goal is to preserve and to promote Jewish heritage.

European Institute of Cultural Routes
Information source: The Council of Europe Cultural Routes brochure, 2005
Photo: Poster of the European Day of Jewish Culture 2005