Foundation Chief Executive Michael Mail was invited to join an expert group visiting the remarkable Grade I-listed Jurnet’s House in Norwich.
This 12th century house is one of the very few merchant houses that survived from the medieval period. It is also believed to be the oldest Jewish property in the UK - once being owned by successful local Jewish merchant Isaac Jurnet.
Jurnet’s House is today owned by Norwich City Council and the Council is now working with the local Jewish community to turn the site into a heritage visitors centre that will have as its focus the Jewish experience in Norwich.
Very sadly, medieval Norwich has a special standing in England’s dark past being the place where the notorious blood libel originated. In 1190, there was a terrible massacre of the Jewish community in the city. This will be covered in the centre that is being planned.
A group of local volunteers are working with the Council and the University of East Anglia to develop the project, and they are in close contact with the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
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