The Old Synagogue in Waagegasse is one of the very few surviving medieval synagogues and is the oldest synagogue in Europe that has been preserved up to the roof. It is evidence of one of the most important Jewish communities of the Middle Ages. The oldest documented section of the building dates back to around 1100.
Evidence of Erfurt's medieval Jewish culture is presented in the Old Synagogue Erfurt.

In the summer of 2007, a Jewish ritual bath (mikvah) was found near the Old Synagogue, which will be incorporated into the museum concept.

Winner of the Travel Writers' Award for the best European tourism project in 2011. It has been part of the UNESCO Jewish-Medieval Heritage of Frankfurt since 2023.