Snowy Range Pass

Snowy Range Pass

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Willemstad, Curacao



Curacao is the third of the Dutch Antilles Islands that visited.  Its early European history is similar to Bonaire.  In the 2010 elections, it voted to become independent from the Netherlands.  It is a much larger island with a population of over 150,000 people.

Our interest here was in visiting the capital city, Willemstad, which is a designated world heritage site. So we spent our time here exploring this historic city.  It was founded by the Dutch in the mid 1600's and quickly made it a slave trading center.  Today it is a booming tourist center which has preserved much of its historic buildings.

We docked in front of the RIF fort across the harbor from the old city.  We strolled along the waterfront through the fort and had great view of the old city before crossing the pontoon bridge into the historic district.










The buildings are well preserved and used for the commerce.  Many date from the early to mid 1700's.  There are plenty of places to shop and dine.  As you walk along the waterfront street, you will come to a small canal that holds a floating market that has existed for centuries.  Here you can buy fresh fish, fresh vegetables and assorted other items. 







 
The city streets are narrow and filled with shops and restaurants.   I found one group of tourists who were all posing for a selfie along the busy streets.









There is a park dedicated in 1930 to  Dutch Queen Wilhelmina for her 50th birthday.  Also in the park is a large DUSHI sign.  In Curacao, this means sweet/nice.  It would seem that this applies to US, as well.






 
We next visited the Fort Amsterdam complex, which was the seat of the colonial government which included the Governor's mansion and the Fort Church.  We were able to tour the church and museum.  The church was completed in 1771, despite the date of 1769 on the building.  Some of the original pieces remain in the church or the church museum which is located above the water cistern in the church.  The mechanical works for the original clock tower made in Holland in 1766 can be viewed.  In 1864, the English took control of the town for a short period, and Capt Bligh of the British Navy bombarded the town from the location where our ship was currently moored.  There remains a cannonball in the front wall of the church that was fired during that bombardment.








This is definitely a must visit city.

10 comments:

Paul and Marsha Weaver OCT. 17, 2009 said...

I just love the colorful buildings. The architecture is beautiful.

Gorgeous church. And, I totally agree. A city I would love to see.

Happytrails said...

Amazing history in that city. I love the design of the buildings, and they are so colorful. Incredible trip.

Travels with Emma said...

I, too, enjoyed all the vibrant colors.

Wanderin' said...

Your pictures brought back great memories! Thanks for letting us enjoy Curacao again.

Anja said...

Love your pictures, we were there!

Linda said...

I absolutely love the coloured buildings, and the view are lovely. Thank you so much for sharing this tour.

Gypsy said...

A quaint, colorful, pretty little town. Love that blue building.

Gail Houle said...

Your tour brought back great memories of our trip there a few years ago. I did not know they were now independent of The Netherlands...interesting.

Paul and Marti Dahl said...

I went to Curacao on an assignment. It was the most expensive hotel room I ever stayed in, $750/night. Good thing I didn't have to pay for it!

Loved that swinging bridge. :c)

Sherry said...

What a really interesting place. I just love the vibrant colors. Your photos of it are terrific. A floating market sounds very interesting. Quite a bit of history there clearly though a rather dark beginning as a slave center.