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Unwrap the island’s history as you
Start in the heart of Willemstad, wander through historic neighborhoods, and visit landmark sites that trace 375 years of Jewish life on the island. Whether you have an hour or a day, each stop adds another layer to Curaçao’s remarkable Jewish heritage.
Curaçao’s Jewish community is one of the oldest in the Americas. Its landmarks—synagogues, cemeteries, museums, and cultural sites—tell a story of faith, migration, resilience, and creativity that continues to this day.
Begin your visit in the UNESCO World Heritage district of Willemstad, then explore nearby neighborhoods such as Scharloo, Pietermaai, Penstraat, and Mahaai to discover Curaçao’s layered Jewish story.
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These sites form the heart of Curaçao’s Jewish story. They include the island’s historic synagogues, cemeteries, and museums—places that preserve nearly four centuries of Jewish faith, culture, and community life.
Built in 1732, this magnificent synagogue is the oldest in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere. Its sand-covered floor, mahogany furnishings, and grand chandeliers evoke centuries of Jewish life in Curaçao. The Snoa remains an active house of worship and a symbol of endurance and faith.
Located beside the synagogue, the museum showcases almost 400 years of Jewish history—stories of origin, migration, and community. Exhibitions include Community Roots, Collecting WWII Stories, George Maduro: Curaçao’s War Hero, and Anne Frank and Her Legacy. Together, they explore history, culture, and identity through artifacts, family stories, and interactive displays.
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If you have more time to explore, these sites offer rich Jewish connections within Curaçao’s broader cultural story.
The Beth Haim Bleinheim and Beth Haim Berg Altena cemeteries are among the oldest in the Americas. Their intricately carved tombstones reflect the artistry, spirituality, and genealogy of Curaçao’s Jewish community. Many families across the hemisphere can trace their roots to these historic resting places.
Consecrated in 1959, Shaarei Tsedek represents the island’s Ashkenazi Jewish community. Its striking modern building, completed in 2006, features a soaring glass dome. The congregation continues to thrive, now guided by a Chabad rabbi and rabbetzin, while maintaining deep connections to the community’s 20th-century migration story.
Set in the stately Landhuis Rooi Catootje, the museum preserves the legacy of four generations of the Maduro family—businesspeople, philanthropists, and cultural figures. Behind the house, the Mongui Maduro Library and Archives serve as a research center and repository for Jewish congregational records.
Home of the world-famous Blue Curaçao liqueur, this 19th-century distillery has been run by the Jewish Senior family since 1896. Visit to learn about their entrepreneurial history—and sample the flavors that became an island icon.
Located in a restored 18th-century mansion on the waterfront, the museum explores 500 years of maritime history. Exhibits reveal how Jewish merchants and shipowners helped shape Curaçao’s seafaring and trading past.
This eighteenth-century estate honors May Henriquez, writer, sculptor, and champion of the arts. Her love for the Papiamentu language—captured in two books on its use in Jewish circles—lives on in this cultural center where art, history, and nature beautifully meet.
CuracaoJews.org is an initiative of the Jewish Cultural Historical Museum, functioning as the Jewish Museum Curaçao, as we celebrate 375 years of Jewish life documented on the island of Curaçao.