Jodensavanne

Jodensavanne, located on the right bank of the Suriname River, is one of the most significant historical sites for the Jewish diaspora in the Americas. The settlement was established in the mid-17th century by Sephardic Jews fleeing the Inquisition in Europe and Brazil. It was unique for the era, as the community was granted extensive privileges, including the rights to self-governance, their own legal jurisdiction, and religious freedom. In 1685, the Beracha Ve Shalom synagogue was consecrated, built with bricks specifically imported from the Netherlands for this purpose. Jodensavanne flourished as a center of the sugarcane industry, though its economic prosperity was heavily reliant on the labor of enslaved Africans. The settlement began to decline in the late 18th century due to soil exhaustion and shifting economic fortunes, and was largely abandoned following a catastrophic fire in 1832. Today, the atmospheric ruins of the synagogue and the historic Jewish cemeteries, featuring intricately carved tombstones, serve as reminders of this once-thriving community and are part of a UNESCO World Heritage nomination.

Nearby cities

Cola Creek

A popular recreational swimming spot with dark, cola-colored water, surrounded by shaded forests.

Brownsweg

A significant settlement of the Maroon community and the central starting point for tours to the Brokopondo Lake and Brownsberg.

Paramaribo

The vibrant capital of Suriname is situated on the banks of the river of the same name.

History & landmarks

Bergendal

A luxury eco-resort and historic site on the Suriname River, blending adventure with colonial history.

Commewijne plantations

Historic plantations along the Commewijne River, famous for colonial history and dolphin spotting tours.

Arya Dewaker Temple

A magnificent Hindu temple in Paramaribo with unique octagonal architecture.

Atjoni

The bustling end of the road and the jumping-off point for all boat trips into the Upper Suriname region.

More places

Paranam

A historic mining settlement that gained great importance through bauxite mining in the 20th century.

Port of Paranam

A historically important industrial port on the Suriname River.

Lawa Railway Remains

The historical remains of an old railway line built during the Surinamese gold rush.

Kofidjompo Monument

A historical monument commemorating the Maroon freedom fighter Kofi, after whom the place was originally named.

Camp 52

A historic camp along the former Lawa railway, which served as a stopover to the jungle.

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Laarwijk Plantation

A historic settlement accessible only by boat, characterized by its agricultural history.

Waterland Plantation

Once a flourishing sugar cane plantation, today a popular historic recreation area along the river.

Peperpot Plantation

One of the oldest coffee and cocoa plantations in Suriname, now partly a nature park.