Willemstad
The capital is noted for its brightly coloured, Dutch-style houses and a range of other interesting and complementary architectural styles, including cunucu houses (based on African-style mud and wattle huts), thatched cottages and country houses. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is one of the finest shopping centres in the Caribbean. Monuments of interest in the city include the Statue of Manuel Piar, a famous freedom fighter, and two statues associated with World War II: one given by the Dutch royal family to the people of Curaçao (in recognition of their support), and one in commemoration of those who lost their lives. The mustard-coloured Fort Amsterdam, now the seat of government of the Netherlands Antilles, stands at the centre of historic Willemstad, which from 1648 to 1861 was a fortified town of some strategic importance. The fort’s church, still standing, doubled as a storehouse for provisions saved in case of siege. Other specially designed storerooms for food, sails and other essentials may still be seen. A cannonball is still embedded in the church’s southwest wall. Nearby is the present Governor’s Residence, dating back to the Dutch colonial days. Also worth seeing are the Queen Emma Pontoon bridge and the Queen Juliana Bridge. The latter spans the harbour at a height of 490m (1600ft). The harbour itself has a floating market where colourful barges full of agricultural produce can be seen. Nearby is the new market building, the design of which is very striking. The market comes to life after 0600 on a Saturday morning. The architecture of the Scharloo area, reached by crossing the Wilhelmina Drawbridge, is fascinating, dating from as early as 1700. The Mikvé Israel Synagogue is the oldest in the Americas and, like the Jewish Beth Heim Cemetery, is worth a visit. Its courtyard museum has a fine collection of historical artefacts.
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