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CRUISING TO THE CARIBBEAN:
CURACAO ATTRACTIONS: WILLEMSTAD |
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Wiillemstad is a unique Caribbean city. Indeed, it is so unique that much of it is a UNESCO World Heritage site that encompasses 750 historic buildings. The architecture is distinctly Dutch in origin but many of the historic buildings are painted in Caribbean pastels. This reflects the fact that Curacao is a blend of cultures.
The city is divided by Sint Annabaai or St. Anna Bay. The original city was founded in the 1630s by the Dutch on the eastern shore of the bay and is now called the Punda, In the early 1700's, the government authorized the settlement of the "other side" of the bay, the Otrobanda. Over time that section has grown to almost the same size as Punda. In order to get from one side of the bay to the other, the locals use a pedestrian pontoon bridge, the Queen Emma Bridge (known locally as the "Swinging Old Lady"). When a ship wants to enter the bay, a siren is sounded and after everyone has crossed, the bridge is swung out to let the ship pass. While the bridge is open, a ferry boat shuttles people across. Crossing the bridge is alo an interesting experience because it is floating and thus has something of the feeling of being on a ship. It is free, fast and takes one from the heart of Otrobanda to the heart of Punda. |
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Right: The Brionplein in a large plaza on the Otrobanda side of the Queen Emma Bridge. It is named after Pedro Luis Brion, who was born on Curacao in 1782 and fought under Simon Bolivar.
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The Rif Fort was built between 1828 and 1829 to protect the entrance to St. Anna Bay. At one time, it had 56 cannons as well as barracks for soldiers within its walls. Today, it contains restaurants, bars and upscale shops. However, visitors can still climb to the top of its battlements for good views of the sea and the city.
Museum Kurá Hulanda (below right) stands on the site of the island's slave depot. Accordingly, it features exhibits about West African culture and the Slave Trade. Also in Otrobanda is the Curacao Museum (see separate article) , which features the work of local and foreign artists. 
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Coming across the Queen Emma bridge into Punda, one
immediately sees Fort Amsterdam. Shortly after the Dutch captured the island, they began building fortifications here in 1635. The city then grew up around the fort. Some of the original fortifications are still visible. However, most of the fort is now government offices and historic buildings. Facing the bridge is the Governor's Palace (left). This is the official residence and office of the representative of the Queen of the Netherlands. The governor is also the head of government of the country of Curacao. Inside the fort is the Fortchurch (below left). Built in 1769, it is the oldest church in continuos use in Curacao. It is unusually tall for its size. This enabled the inhabitants of the fort to dry and store ship sails within the church. The walls were built to withstand attack and there is a British cannon ball embedded in one of the exterior walls. The fort also contains Curacao's Parliamnet Building (below). 
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Not far from Fort Amsterdam is the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue. (See separate article). It is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere. The synagogue is open to the public and the Jewish Cultural Museum is on the grounds.
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Enhancing the traditional colors of Willemstad is contemporary art that one often comes upon unexpectedly (left).
The Postal Museum (right) is Punda's oldest standing building and dates from 1693. It features a collection of international stamps and postal-related artifacts.
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The Floating Market on the northern side of Punda is made up of boats from Venezuela, Columbia and other Caribbean islands that bring fresh fruit, fish and produce to Curacao.
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Dutch-style draw bridges allow pedestrains to cross from Punda to the Scharloo district where some of the town's
Jewish merchants built mansions. This area is also home to the Curaco Maritime Museum (above right).
Jewish merchants built mansions. This area is also home to the Curaco Maritime Museum (above right).
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Cruise destination travel guide - Curacao - Curacao Attractions: Willemstad