International Jewish Cemetery Project
International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies

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Coat of arms of Xanten 51°40' N, 06°27' E, 21 miles NW of Duisburg, on the Rhein, in Kreis Wesel, North Rhine-Westphalia. 1905 Jewish population: 30. Xanten in Lower Franconian Santen) is a historic town in the North Rhine-Westphalia  in the district of Wesel.

Xanten is known for the Archaeological Park or archaeological open air museum (one of the largest in the world), its medieval picturesque city centre with Xanten Cathedral and many museums, its large man-made lake for various watersport activities as well as high standard of living.Wikipedia.

Cemetery: 46509 North Rhine-Westphalia (Gerz, Peters). Heesberg. (Gerz)

photos and history: "The cemetery in Xanten is a very special one: the graves are arranged in three concentric circles. This is an example of traditional Jewish burial culture with its consistent and harmonious style. / Its location outside the town walls is in accordance with Jewish law. / The extent to which Jews living in a small town in the Lower Rhineland in the 19th century were subjected to discrimination and prejudice is portrayed in the novel "Es geschah im Nachbarhaus" (It happened in the house next-door) by the author Willi Fährmann, who lives in Xanten. / The cemetery is accessible via Heeser Weg (about 3km from the town centre)."

Yad Vashem photos of cemetery and environs. [August 2012]

Jewish Virtual Library [August 2012]