Jodensavanne
Para
Jodensavanne, meaning 'Jewish Savanna' in Dutch, was a Jewish plantation settlement established in the 1600s in what is now Para District, Suriname. Founded by Sephardi Jews fleeing persecution, it grew into a prosperous community centered around sugarcane plantations worked by enslaved Africans. At its peak around 1700, it was home to approximately 570 Jewish settlers and thousands of enslaved people. The settlement featured a synagogue, a school teaching Spanish, Portuguese, and Jewish studies, and a structured street layout. Despite its success, Jodensavanne endured frequent conflicts including attacks by Indigenous groups, slave revolts, and raids by the French navy. These threats eventually led to the community relocating to Paramaribo. Today, the archaeological site, including the synagogue ruins and cemeteries, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflecting its historical and cultural importance.
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Tip: Visitors should plan to visit during dry seasons for easier access as the site is in a forested area. Guided tours are recommended to fully appreciate the history and archaeological remains. Advance arrangements may be necessary due to the remote location and limited facilities. There are no specific ticket prices, but visitors should inquire about any available discounts or group rates through local tour operators or heritage organizations.
Interesting facts
- •Jodensavanne was one of the earliest Jewish settlements in the Americas, established in the 1600s.
- •At its height, the community included about 570 Jewish settlers and 9,000 enslaved Africans.
- •The settlement had its own court and religious freedoms guaranteed by colonial authorities.
- •The synagogue ruins and cemeteries are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site designated in 2023.
- •The community built a defensive system to protect against attacks from Indigenous groups and slave revolts.
History
Jodensavanne was established in the mid-17th century when Sephardi Jews were permitted by the English to settle in Suriname.
The community grew significantly after Jews expelled from Brazil arrived in the 1660s.
Under Dutch control, the Jewish settlers retained and expanded their rights, including land grants for a synagogue and burial grounds.
The settlement thrived as a sugarcane plantation economy reliant on enslaved African labor.
However, repeated attacks by Indigenous peoples, slave revolts, and naval raids in the late 17th and early 18th centuries weakened the community, leading to its eventual abandonment and relocation to Paramaribo.
Place Guide
Synagogue Ruins1691
The remains of the 17th-century synagogue, once the religious and cultural center of the Jewish community in Jodensavanne. The site reflects the architectural style and religious heritage of early Jewish settlers in Suriname.
Plantation Layout and Defensive StructuresLate 17th century
The settlement featured a main road with four side streets, surrounded by sugarcane plantations. Defensive walls and fortifications were constructed to protect inhabitants from attacks by Indigenous peoples and slave revolts.
Cassipora Creek Cemetery
A historic Jewish cemetery near Jodensavanne, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserving the burial grounds of the early Jewish community in Suriname.
