Amsterdam's Jewish Quarter: a must-see in 2025!

In this article, I present the Amsterdam's Jewish quarter and monuments not to be missed!

Here you'll find

• An introduction to Amsterdam's Jewish quarter and its history
• What to see and do in the area
• How to get there
• Practical information: prices, opening hours, reservations
• Things to see and do in the area
• And much more!

If you're looking for information about Amsterdam's Jewish quarter, you'll love this article.

Follow the guide!

Jewish Quarter Amsterdam: article summary

Amsterdam's Jewish Quarter: a historic district of prime importance!

Visit Amsterdam's Jewish quarter (literally Jodenbuurt) is a central district with a fascinating history. I invite you to visit it during your stay in the capitalfor its monuments, attractions and historical significance.

Introduction to Amsterdam's Jewish Quarter

Located in the heart Amsterdam city centerthe Jewish quarter historically stretched along the banks of the canals Zwanenburgwal and Oudeschansbefore expanding between Nieuwmarkt and Plantage, where the Amsterdam Zoo.

Before the Second World War, it was the the world's largest Jewish quarter in terms of community. More than half of the country's Jews lived here, with a history that began in the late 15th century.

At the time, Jews were fleeing Portugal and Spainthen Germany, to find refuge in Amsterdam. The city offered them a place to live, as did Venice at the same time, and the number of Jews grew rapidly. Between 1612 and 1672, it rose from 500 inhabitants to over 2,500.

The country is very flexible when it comes to religion Jews were able to worship freely and even build synagogues. Catholics also lived in the area, helping the Jewish people during the Nazi persecution of the Second World War.

The community continued to grow, and although job opportunities remained limited for the Jews - who had to make do with the financial, diamond-working and printing sectors - they were more than 80,000 on the eve of the rise of Nazism.

Between 1940 and 1945, the Germans occupied the Netherlands and Jews were hunted down and deported. The year 1945, just 5,000 will return to the neighborhood, which today is but a shadow of its former self.

However, its recent revitalizationThe city's many museums and monuments make it an ideal place to visit during your stay in Amsterdam.

What can you see and do in the Jewish Quarter?  

While many buildings were destroyed, notably synagogues which were looted of their wood after the war for heating, Amsterdam's Jewish quarter still bears many traces of the past.

Here's what I recommend you see first.

Amsterdam Jewish Historical Museum

This is one of the best Amsterdam museumsand is dedicated to Jewish culture. It contains a wealth of archival documents, objects related to Hebraic practices and numerous testimonials, providing a better understanding of the importance of the Jewish community to Amsterdam.

• Address: Nieuwe Amstelstraat 1, 1011 PL Amsterdam
• Rates: adults: 17 euros / young people aged 13 to 17: 8 euros / children aged 6 to 12: 5 euros / free for children aged 5 and under
• Opening hours: daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Good to know The ticket also includes a visit to the Portuguese synagogue + those of Holocaust Museum

The Portuguese synagogue

This synagogue, also known as the Esnogadates back to the 17th century. At the time, it was the most famous and largest synagogue in Europe.

It was built in a refined style, borrowing from Protestant church architecture, hence its austerity. Among the site's special features, it is illuminated by by candlelight !

At the exit, don't miss the statue of the docker by Dutch sculptor Mari Andriessen. It pays tribute to the 300,000 Amsterdam strikers who demonstrated against the treatment of Jews in their city!

• Address: Visserplein 3, 1011 RD Amsterdam
• Opening hours: Sunday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (until 3 p.m. on Fridays) - closed on Saturdays

Holocaust Museum

Within the Holocaust MuseumYou'll learn more about the fate of Jewish children during the Nazi occupation. A visit as poignant as it is instructive, with photos and personal objects recovered in the course of our investigations.

Opposite, a memorial lists the Jewish victims of Nazi repression in the Netherlands.

• Address: Plantage Middenlaan 29, 1018 DB Amsterdam
• Opening hours: reopening in 2024 after major restructuring

The Hollandsche Schouwburg theater

Visit Théâtre de Hollande is a former theater, now a museum, dedicated to the victims of the Second World War. It was named Jewish theater for the Germans during the occupation, and only Jewish artists could perform here, for an exclusively Jewish audience. It was here, in 1943, that Jews were rounded up for deportation.

It's a must-see monument, for a better understanding of how Jews were treated at the time; it features documents and some outstanding exhibitions.

• Address: Plantage Middenlaan 24, 1018 DE Amsterdam
• Opening hours: reopening in 2024 after major restructuring
• Prices: ticket included with the ticket for the Jewish National Museum

The House of Pinto (or Huis Pinto)

This imposing house with its Italianate facade is a symbol of the neighborhood. In fact, local residents strongly opposed its demolition in 1975, because of the importance it had Isaac de Pintoa Portuguese Jewish banker and philosopher, for the community.

The interior is worth a visit for the frescoes on the ceiling and the books in what is now a library.

• Address: Sint Antoniesbreestraat 69, 1011 HB Amsterdam
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Rates: free of charge

The Rembrandt House Museum

This museum, in the heart of Amsterdam's Jewish quarter, is housed in the famous painter's house. You can see numerous works by the artist and a reproduction of its living space.

It's easy to understand the ties that bound him to his Jewish neighbors, in his inspirations and on his most famous canvases. To see more Rembrandt's masterpiecesplease visit Rikjksmuseum !

• Address: Jodenbreestraat 4, 1011 NK Amsterdam
• Rates: adults: 17.50 euros / children aged 6 to 17: 6 euros / free for children aged 5 and under
• Opening hours: daily from 10 am to 6 pm (from March 2023)

Waterlooplein Flea Market

This was the city's Jewish market, which began to take up residence here. in 1886. A lively place of exchange, today it's a much more traditional market, with stalls selling trinkets, clothes and numerous souvenirs.

If you like a bit of bargain hunting, this is the place to be. an activity to do in Amsterdam!

• Address: Waterlooplein 2, 1011 NZ Amsterdam
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Samuel Gassan's diamond-cutting workshop

As explained above, Jews could only carry out a limited number of activities in Amsterdam. These included, diamond dealerA visit to this cutter's workshop, which was Europe's No. 1 at the time, is a must.

Enough to familiarize yourself with this art form and, if your budget allows, to acquire a pretty diamond at factory prices!

• Address: Nieuwe Uilenburgerstraat 173-175, 1011 LN Amsterdam
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Good plan many of these activities are included with the I Amsterdam City Carda comprehensive all-in-one pass for visit Amsterdam easily.

How to get to Amsterdam's Jewish Quarter easily?

Amsterdam's Jewish Quarter is easy to get to, since it's right in the heart of the city. Preferred options include:

• On foot or by bike from most parts of Amsterdam
• Visit metrowith lines 51, 53 or 54
• With N85 or N87 buses
• Via tramway line 14

What to see and do in the area?

If a visit to Amsterdam's Jewish Quarter will keep you busy for a long time, there's plenty to do in the surrounding area. Here are a few suggestions:

• Visit Anne Franck House. It's not directly in the area (22 minutes on foot), but it's an essential complement to your visit.
• Browse the Amsterdam's Red Light Districtfor its naughty shop windows, its coffee-shop or its astonishing museums
• Head north to discover the superb museum NEMO dedicated to science!

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