Judensau (German for "Jewish swine") is a derogatory and dehumanizing imagery of the Jews that appeared around the 13th century in Germany and some other European countries. Its popularity lasted for over 600 years and was revived by the Nazis.

Jewish swine at the Cathedral of St. Peter (1250-1520) in Regensburg (June 2004)

The Jews, typically portrayed in obscene contact with unclean animals such as pigs or owls or representing a devil, appeared on cathedral or church ceilings, pillars, utensils, etchings, etc.

This is an example of anti-Semitic propaganda used by the authorities to ostracize the Jewish minority and justify its persecution.

In the Spanish language, marrano means "Christianized Jew", "pig" and "dirty".

Partial list

Some of these sculptures can be found at some churches today. Some churches have corresponding statements and descriptions, available by request.

• Aerschot (Notre Dame Cathedral)
• Bamberg (Cathedral)
• Basel in Switzerland (Cathedral)
• Brandenburg (Cathedral)
• Cadolzburg
• Colmar (St Martin Cathedral)
• Eberswalde
• Erfurt (Cathedral)
• Gniezno (Cathedral)
• Heilsbronn (Cathedral)
• Cologne (Chorgestuehl in the Cathedral and St. Severin)
• Lemgo (St Marien)
• Magdeburg (Cathedral)
• Metz in France (Cathedral)
• Nuremberg (St Sebaldus Church)
• Regensburg (Cathedral)
• Remagen (Gate elbow)
• Uppsala in Sweden (Cathedral)
• Vienna in Austria,
• Wimpfen (Church of St. Peter)
• Wittenberg (Town church)
• Xanten (Cathedral)
• Zerbst (St Nicolas Church)

See also

• History of anti-Semitism
• Martin Luther and Judaism

External links

• Infamous 15th century Judensau carved at Lutherstadt Wittenberg with a plaque that warns against forgetting history and repeating past mistakes.
• Christian and Jew (in German)