The Jodenhol in the Valtherbos is an underground shelter that has been restored as closely as possible to its condition around 1945. It is located on Westerweg in Klijndijk. From December 1942 until the liberation on 11 April 1945, a total of 16 Jewish people found shelter there for shorter or longer periods. Following extensive restoration, the Jodenhol was officially reopened on 20 April 2004.
Jodenhol and A-Boom
Several details at the site tell the story of how the shelter was supplied at the time and how it was later commemorated. A reconstructed circular opening gives an impression of the former appearance and location of the wartime water well. The well was seven metres deep and supplied fresh water. A memorial plaque at the Jodenhol was unveiled by relatives of former people in hiding.
The route to the A-Boom, about 400 metres long, is signposted at the information board. The tree bears the carved letter A; nearby, a memorial plaque marks the site of a second hiding place from the Second World War. Aaltjo Oldenburger unveiled the plaque in May 2013. He had been involved in this second hiding place. A lime tree, planted in 1984 during the ceremony to unveil “Het Monument”, stands roughly in the middle of the clearing.
Guided tours of the Onderduikershol are available by prior request via email. Arrange your visit before you arrive. Several walking trails in the area pass the Onderduikershol; a cycle route towards Emmen also runs nearby.
Walking trails and prehistoric traces
The Valtherbos is a forest of about 450 hectares with several burial mounds. A six-kilometre walking route from the UNESCO Global Geopark De Hondsrug starts at the car park at Melkweg 42 in Klijndijk and passes Eppiesbergje. From the car park on Melkweg, walkers can also follow the path to Hunebed D35.
Nearby Eppiesbergje is a high burial mound. It was originally created around 2500 BC and continued to be used as a burial site. The Geopark route therefore offers a direct connection to this burial mound; the path from the car park to Hunebed D35 is another named walking option. Both details help distinguish the destinations when looking at the map.
A Staatsbosbeheer walking trail runs through the Zietakkerbos. There is also a nature trail with information about various birds and their nesting boxes. As far as is known, the Zietakkerbos was established around 1920 to 1930 as part of a job-creation scheme. The trees were planted for timber production. A walk here therefore takes in both birdlife and the history of how the forest was used.
Local history and culture
Klijndijk’s history is also linked to the Odoornerzijtak lateral canal: the canal was constructed around 1860, and Klijndijk developed at its end shortly afterwards. Another historical trace is the church on Hoofdweg, set behind trees and built around 1900. It housed the Hervormde Evangelisatiegemeente, which had about 25 members; the church was named “De goede Herder”.
A bust of Max Douwes, created by artist Lia Krol, has stood at the end of the Zietak since 2010. The glass-and-metal artwork “Kringloop van het Leven” is located at the large roundabout. Remembrance also has a regular date: the 4 mei Comité Valthe-Klijndijk organises a memorial event every year on 4 May. If you would like to plan your visit around it, check the event date before travelling.
The different themes offer a range of ways to explore the area: the Jodenhol and the A-Boom tell stories of persecution and remembrance, while the trails in the Valtherbos and Zietakkerbos touch on natural and landscape history. You can request a guided tour of the Jodenhol by email; the starting point and destinations for the six-kilometre Geopark route are also provided.
Discover more destinations: Exloo, Ees, Bronneger, Drouwenermond, Tweede Exloërmond, Drouwen, Odoornerveen, Borger
For the wider travel overview: Borger-Odoorn.
