Dutch Theatre / Hollandsche Schouwburg

Overview

Jewish Cultural Quarter

In 1942-1943, the Hollandsche Schouwburg was used by the Nazis as Amsterdam’s deportation site. This theatre, located in a Jewish residential area, was efficiently reached by municipal tram and could be guarded easily. Jews awaited their deportation in the building for hours, days or sometimes even weeks. In the theatre they had to hand over their keys, so their homes could be looted after deportation. From the theatre they were taken to Westerbork and then further east. Most of the deportees were murdered in Auschwitz or Sobibor.    

The Nazis also annexed a day-care center opposite the street, next to a school building. Jewish children were imprisoned in that center, separated from their parents. Through the adjacent school, some 600 Jewish children were brought into hiding and rescued.