Holocaust Memorials - Monuments, Museums and Institutions in Commemoration of Nazi Victims

in detail

During the Second World War, 15 Jews sought refuge and hid here, in what later became known as the »Jodenhol« (Jews' hole). They lived for around two and a half years in this hole in the ground, dug out in the Valthe Forest in the Drenthe Province. They faced a constant threat of being discovered, with forest workers at least once coming very close to the hideout. During daylight hours particularly, keeping the place and themselves hidden was a major priority. The hiding Jews set up an observation post in a nearby beech tree. Traces are still visible today.

 

The »Jodenhol« consisted of two spaces: one 3.5 metres by 7 metres and the other 2.5 metres by 3 metres. There was space for tables and chairs in the »rooms«, which also served as bedrooms. There was an oven and a place to cook. Inhabitants in the village of Valthe, especially the Zefat and Westerink families, helped provide supplies to the refugees hiding in the »Jodenhol«.

 

After the war, the »Jodenhol« fell into ruin. In 1984 a commemorative stone was erected in the Valthe Forest. In 2004 plans for the regional development of land in Drenthe Province, including the reconstruction of the »Jodenhol«, were finally realized.

15 Jews hid out in the so-called »Jodenhol«, a dug-out hole in the ground in the Valthe Forest in Drenthe Province during the Second World War. They lived there for around two and a half years. Inhabitants of the village of Valthe helped provide them with supplies. All 15 of the refugees survived the war and occupation.

In 2004 reconstruction of the former hide-out was completed and opened to the public as a memorial.

1941 to 1944
During the German occupation of the Netherlands 15 Jews hid in what later became known as the 'Jodenhol', thus surviving the war.

1945
After the war the 'Jodenhol' fell into ruin.

1984
Installation of a commemorative stone in the Valthe Forest.

2004
Reconstruction of the 'Jodenhol'.