The memorial of Judenburg

The name Judenburg was first mentioned in 1074.

A literal translation of the name Judenburg to English is ‘Jew-Castle’, therefore, Judenburg’s name has been of concern to the people in and around Judenburg for ages. Some historians traced the origins of the name back to the Romans, others to the Celts and some even to the Goths. During some periods in history, historians and people alike were not mainly concerned with the origin of the name, but rather with what the name Judenburg should imply and what it should not. One example from the 17th century illustrates this struggle: the Jesuit order changed Judenburg’s name to “Hebraeopolis“, trying to make the city a center of true Christian belief after the reformation period.

During National Socialism the name ‘Judenburg’ became of significant importance to the party members in the region, especially since officials were working eagerly on uprooting the jewish population. So, the city’s name had to be changed consequently. ‘Zirbitzburg’, ‘Liechtenstein’ or ‘Adolfburg’ were presented as suitable options.

Later the historian Johann Andritsch claimed that the founder of Judenburg, Luit(h)old of the Eppenstein family had coined the name, as his nickname was ‘Judo’. This hypothesis, however, is not widely recognized in the scientific world. The scientific community believes that the name can be connected to other settlements in the eastern area of the Alps, as some other settlements in this area incorporate the word ‘Juden’, as settlements near Villach, Maria Saal, Friesach, Neumarkt and Leoben prove. All of these seem to be located at strategic geographic points, such as crossroads, river crossings, at the beginning of streets leading up to mountain passes or close to economic centers. As Judenburg was an economic center during the Middle Ages, it fits into the wide network of ‘Judenorte’, which were founded in the 10th or 11th century.

As the other settlements, Judenburg was founded during a time in which Jews were still allowed to trade, before they had to go into banking. So, it becomes obvious that those ‘Judenorte’ in the Eastern Alps were central points of trade and transport, which were founded along medieval trading routes. Those cities allowed the Jewish traders to manage the distance between the Mediterranean sea and the Danube area. Judenburg was part of this network of central points.

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Dr. Michael Schiestl, Historian of the city of Judenburg

 

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