[10] Malchiner Straße, Stadtbibliothek, Synagoge

Description

The Malchiner Street is one of the oldest streets in Stavenhagen. Together with the marketplace, it was renovated for the restoration of local design features in 1995 and now leads as a pedestrian zone to Basepohler Street. Here you will find small shops, restaurants and services, as well as a library, which houses the seniors´ club.

The building No. 26, which characterises the street scene, was used as a "children´s department store" until the early 90s. Then the building was vacant for many years and fell into decay until the city decided to renovate it. The library rooms were inaugurated in 2008.
Nowadays, the spacious premises offer computer and event rooms, as well as a children´s reading corner. Regular child-friendly events for schools and kindergartens take place. From autumn each year, the programme is also complemented by atmospheric evening events for adults. All information about current and upcoming exhibitions and events can be found on the website or directly on site.

From 2009 onwards, the city of Stavenhagen started the project "Stolpersteine" ("Stumbling Blocks") to remember Jewish citizens. Jewish traces can be traced back to around 1759 in Stavenhagen. In 1842, construction began on the synagogue; Jewish life has a long tradition in Stavenhagen. During the Reich´s Pogrom Night on November 9, 1938, the synagogue, like many other places of Jewish life in Germany, was set on fire and extinguished by the master shoemaker Bilsath for fear that the flames would spread to his business. Only because of this was it preserved as one of the few Jewish houses of worship and sold to a carpenter in 1939. He used it as a workshop and lived in the front house until 1969, after which it gradually fell into decay.
On July 10, 1942, the last Jewish citizens were deported to the Auschwitz extermination camp, the "Stolpersteine" of these people can be found in front of Malchiner Street 23 and Amstbrink 15.
Since 1988, the former synagogue, a two-storey half-timbered building with brick infills, a hipped roof and an almost square outline, has been under monument protection.
In 2011, the association "Old Synagogue Stavenhagen" was founded, and a year later the renovation began. In 2016, the house at Malchiner Street 34 was also bought by the association, renovated, and used as an association house. Today, the synagogue complex, which includes the office building, social building and synagogue, as well as the courtyard, is open to all interested parties. It serves as a place of commemoration and memory as well as education and culture. It is also used as a venue for concerts, film nights, lectures, discussions, readings and exhibitions. It is open to visitors and guided tours are also possible. The association has laid "Stolpersteine" and secured old Jewish tombstones. The members are also involved in other organisations and associations. Furthermore, the book "History of the Jewish Community in Stavenhagen 1750-1942" was published.
Malchiner Street is the central point in Stavenhagen for remembering Jewish life, with a vibrant meeting place. It is very special that the synagogue has been preserved. The association and the city have made it possible that the street with a dark past has been positively occupied and allows respectful remembrance. So not only browse through the colourful shops, but also feel free to delve into the history of Stavenhagen with a visit to the synagogue complex. The synagogue is located in the backyard area of Malchiner Street, the entrance can be found via house number 34.