The Jewish Community in Friesach
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As early as 1124, Friesach had a via Judeorum – a “Street of the Jews“.
By the 13th century, a synagogue stood on the site of today’s Neumarkterstraße 5, while the Jewish cemetery was located on the opposite side of the valley, above the settlement of Judendorf.
Trade and Finance
Originally arriving as merchants, mainly from Italy, the Jews of Friesach soon came to play a leading role in the city’s banking and moneylending sector. Their economic activity contributed significantly to the prosperity and commercial importance of medieval Friesach.
Expulsion in 1404
In 1404, seeking relief from his heavy debts, the Archbishop of Salzburg ordered the execution of the Jews of Salzburg and Hallein on charges of allegedly desecrating the Holy Communion bread and expelled those living in Friesach and Pettau.
Following this event, Jews were forbidden to resettle in Friesach for several centuries.