Buildings on Curaçao
A small island in the Caribbean Sea, Curaçao to date boasts more than 860 protected monuments and historical and archaeological sites.
More than 80 country estates dating from the 17th to the 19th century, quite often in a superb natural setting, dot the island. An average of one country estate in every six square kilometres of the island, this is a unique feature both for the Caribbean Region and beyond.
Together with the many colourful traditional rural houses dispersed over the island, these plantation complexes locally called landhuizen, put a distinctive mark on the cultural landscape of Curaçao.
Curaçao also boasts World Heritage, the Inner City and Harbour of Willemstad World Heritage City. The city’s Dutch colonial origin and heritage is reflected in the colourful historic buildings and in the town lay-out of the inner city’s four historic districts known as Punda (17th century), Otrobanda (18th century), Pietermaai and Scharloo (both 19th century). Each with an expression of its own, the distinct historic townscapes of Historic Willemstad’s districts turn the city itself into a colourful and lively reference book of its architectural and urban history both for the city stroller and the visitor.
