Binnenstad Hoorn , North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Monument Onderduikers Hoorn
⎯⎯⎯
WWII Unsung Heroes Memorial
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 22, 2025
1. Monument Onderduikers Hoorn / WWII Unsung Heroes Memorial
redt de hele wereld
(talmoed)
Ter herinnering aan diegenen die in de Tweede Wereldoorlog met gevaar voor eigen leven in onze stad Hoorn vervolgden onderdak boden
"He who saves one life
saves the whole world"
(Talmud)
In memory of those who risked their lives in our city of Hoorn during World War II, providing shelter to persecuted people.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • War, World II.
Location. 52° 38.48′ N, 5° 3.868′ E. Memorial is in Hoorn, Noord-Holland (North Holland). It is in Binnenstad Hoorn. It is at the intersection of Jeudje and Buurtje, on the right when traveling south on Jeudje. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Hoorn, Noord-Holland 1621 GC, 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: Oosterkerk / Eastern Church (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line); Admiraliteitspoortje / Admiralty Gate (1607) (about 240 meters away); Kloosterpoort / Convent Gate (1607)
this page online
Also see . . . Hij die ιιn leven redt, (Comitι Hoorn 40-45, in Dutch). Next to the memorial is a QR code that leads to this page, with extended information on the efforts in Hoorn that was extended to those who were persecuted or went underground. Excerpt (in translation):
During World War II, Hoorn was still a small town. It had barely 13,000 inhabitants. But according to the National Organization for Assistance to Hiders (LO), approximately 3,100 people were helped in hiding in Hoorn during WWII!(Submitted on December 8, 2025.)
Hoorn residents offered assistance to those in hiding, but this required not only humanity but also great courage. They risked their own lives; discovery was severely punished. This memorial stone is a tribute to these well-known, but often unknown, heroes of Hoorn. The stone, unveiled on May 4, 2006, bears a sayingfrom the Talmud, the Jewish holy book: "He who saves one life, saves the whole world." This text also appears in the Quran. Initially, the stone was intended to commemorate the Hoorn couple Henk and Grι Sant, who helped many people in hiding. Later, it was decided to honor all those who lent a helping hand to those in hiding in Hoorn.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 22, 20252. Monument Onderduikers Hoorn / WWII Unsung Heroes Memorial - wide viewThe memorial is visible here on the right.
Shelter was provided not only to the Jewish residents of Hoorn, but also to, for example, the boys and men trying to escape forced labor in Germany. And in the final years of the war, railway workers were also forced into hiding. They responded to the strike call from London and tried their best to stay out of the hands of the German occupiers.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 27 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 8, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
