Are you familiar with the history of the Jewish community in Gouda? Before World War II, Gouda was home to a small but thriving Jewish community. Although at its peak they made up only 1.3% of Gouda’s population, their influence and visibility were greater than this figure suggests.
In 1737, the first Jews were granted citizenship in the city. During the French period, they were granted civil rights. A new synagogue was built on Turfmarkt in 1827, and they had their own elementary school until 1870. There were a relatively large number of Jewish shops, and virtually every older resident of Gouda born before 1935 still has memories of the Jewish community in Gouda.
The city also had a Jewish nursing home, from which all residents were deported to the extermination camps in April 1943. The long, triple row of Stolpersteine commemorates this tragedy and ensures that the names of the residents are preserved.
After the horrific deportations of 1942–1943, Jewish life in Gouda came to an end. Only 40 Jews returned. During this walk, we will pass buildings, houses, and monuments that are or were connected to the Jewish community in Gouda. The Stolpersteine laid in front of homes in the city center tell the story of who the residents were and what became of them.
This introductory walking tour is offered exclusively in Dutch.
Participants:
Maximum of 20 people per guide. If there are more people, we will assign an additional guide.
Booking:
You can book through our websiteuntil the start of the walk. You will then automatically see if and how many spots are still available.
On the day of the tour, you can also book and pay at the VVV only if online booking and payment are not possible. For example, for international participants.
Payment:
The rate in 2026 (unless otherwise stated) is €5 per person. Children under 12 are free. You must pay immediately via iDeal when booking.
Start:
2:00 PM at the Waag on the Markt.
Duration:
The walk takes approximately 1.5 hours.
Information
End: 3:30 PM