Jodensavanne
The ruins of a 17th-century Jewish plantation settlement deep in the rainforest, with a synagogue wall, a historic cemetery, and a site nominated for World Heritage status.
Jodensavanne was an autonomous settlement founded in the 17th century on the upper Suriname River by Portuguese-descended Sephardic Jews. It once housed Beracha Ve Shalom, one of the earliest large synagogues in the Americas (1685), but declined after the 18th century. Today the rainforest preserves the synagogue's brick ruins, a Jewish cemetery, and an African enslaved people's burial ground, along with a small visitor center. It lies about 70 km from Paramaribo, roughly 1.5 hours by car, and is often combined with Colakreek in a day trip. Nearby indigenous villages sell handicrafts.
Opening hours
Open daytime; group tour or charter car recommended
Nearby sights
- Cola Creek
- Neotropical Butterfly Park
- Peperpot Nature Park
- Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge
- Fort Zeelandia
- Waterkant
- Independence Square
- Central Market