The Matzevah originates from 1246. Together with some – also older – headstones discovered in various buildings in Wrocław, it indicates existence of an organized Jewish community in Wrocław before its incorporation. It can be stated that Jews lived near today’s university, while the Jewish cemetery was located in an area limited today by the city moat, Traugutta and Krasińskiego Steets. Its fate and the fate of matzevah from the cemetery illustrate in a symbolic way the history of Jews in the Medieval Wrocław.

The granite matzevah was discovered in 1848 on the courtyard of Wrocław City Hall. Currently it is included in the collection of the City Museum of Wrocław. The following inscription was placed on it:

“Me, where should I go?

…death is close to me…

…and Mr. Chaim arrived, son of the lord

…who was summoned to eternity

…in the middle of the year

…of the seventh of the sixth millennium

…his Sun set…

…Amen. Amen. Selah. Amen. As his soul

tied in a knot of life”.