The Heiliger Sand (holy sands) in Worms is the oldest Jewish cemetery in Europe. The oldest gravestones here date back to the 11th and 12th centuries. Each has its own character, and the graveyard has much atmosphere. The cemetery was put into use when the first synagogue was built here in 1034. A number of famed people are buried in this cemetery, which is also significant since no Christian graveyards exist from this era. Visitors are permitted to wander the tranquil, albeit crowded, setting.