Gouda, South Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe

Voormalige synagoge
⎯⎯⎯
Former Synagogue

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 21, 2025

1. Voormalige synagoge / Former Synagogue Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Wat nu de kerk van de Vrije Evangelische Gemeente is, vormde ooit het godsdienstig middelpunt van de Joodse gemeenschap van Gouda. In 1798 kochten zij hier de buiten gebruik geraakte doopsgezinde kerk, die in 1823 werd vervangen door nieuwbouw. Nog een kwart eeuw groeide de gemeente aanzienlijk. Daarna liep het aantal Joden terug tot circa 200 vlak voor de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Door toestroom van vluchtelingen begin van de oorlog groeide de gemeenschap tot ongeveer 500 mensen. Tijdens de naziterreur zijn bijna 400 Goudse Joden vermoord. De bronzen deurplaquette van kunstenaar Ralph Prins herinnert hieraan. De gemeenschap was na de oorlog zo klein dat in 1950 de synagoge werd verkocht.

What is now the church of the Free Evangelical Congregation once formed the religious center of Gouda's Jewish community. In 1798, they purchased the disused Mennonite church there, which was replaced by a new building in 1823. The congregation grew significantly for another quarter of a century. After that, the number of Jews declined to approximately 200 just before the Second World War. Due to an influx of refugees at the beginning of the war, the community grew to approximately 500 people. During the Nazi terror, nearly 400 Gouda Jews were murdered. The bronze door plaque by artist Ralph Prins commemorates this. After the war, the community was so small that the synagogue was sold in 1950.

Erected by the

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ANWB. (Marker Number 2162/28.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Synagogues series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1798.

Location. 52° 0.715′ N, 4° 42.492′ E. Marker is in Gouda, Zuid-Holland (South Holland). It is on Turfmarkt, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Turfmarkt 23, Gouda, Zuid-Holland 2801 HB, Netherlands. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe,

the European Union,

Atlantic Europe,

the Benelux Low Countries,

the Schengen Area,

Western Europe,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire

and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gouda Synagogue Holocaust Memorial (here, next to this marker); Turfmarkt 54, 54a en 56 (within shouting distance of this marker); Woonhuis voogd Erasmus / Home of Erasmus’ Guardian (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank de wed. Knox and Dortland / Bank of the Widow Knox and Dortland

Voormalige synagoge / Former Synagogue and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 21, 2025

2. Voormalige synagoge / Former Synagogue and Marker

The marker is visible here on the right edge of the building, just above the bench.

(about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Sara van Dantzig (about 150 meters away); Het Goudse Badhuis / The Gouda Bathhouse (about 150 meters away); De Waag / The Weighing House (about 180 meters away); Salomon Benjamin Gompers (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gouda.

Also see . . . Gouda (Joods Cultureel Kwartier). A history of the Jewish community in Gouda. How it started:

Few Jews were permitted to settle in Gouda prior to the granting of full civil equality to the Jews of the Netherlands in 1796. Indeed, in 1746 the municipal council of Gouda resolved totally to bar Jews from settling in the town. Despite this, there was a sufficient number of Jews in Gouda at the close of the 18th century to permit the founding of an organized community.

During the early years of the community, the Jews of Gouda gathered to pray in a private residence on the Lange Groenendaal. In 1798, the community purchased a former Anabaptist church building on the Turfmarkt and refurnished it as a synagogue. The building eventually fell into disrepair and was replaced with a new structure built on
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 21, 2025

3. Commemorative plaque for former synagogue
This plaque, located to the left of the entrance, commemorates the 1827-1950 period when the building was used as a synagogue by Gouda’s Jewish community.
the same site in 1827.

(Submitted on July 11, 2025.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 93 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 11, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.

Voormalige synagoge⎯⎯⎯Former Synagogue

Voormalige synagoge
⎯⎯⎯
Former Synagogue