The vividly painted architecture lining the waterfront in Willemstad may be the most famous feature of Curaçao, but the kaleidoscopic hues did not happen by design. The capital city developed after the Dutch claimed the island in 1634, beginning with Punda, the walled portion of the old city. Buildings tended to be two and three-story shops and residences built on narrow, elongated lots to maximize use of scarce land. The only materials available for construction, mismatched bricks scavenged from ship ballast, were finished with lime plaster made from crushed shells, which dried to a dazzling white facade in the intense Caribbean sun.
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It is said that a former governor of the island who suffered from severe headaches, believing his malady was aggravated by the sun’s brilliant reflections off the white buildings, mandated that building exteriors be painted any color but white. Despite later discovery that the governor was a shareholder in the island’s only paint store, the tradition of painting in vivid colors has endured, making Willemstad’s Dutch and Spanish colonial style architecture one of the most stunning sights in the Caribbean.
Curaçao Landhuizen, giant plantation houses built in the the outlying areas in the 18th and 19th centuries, were no less alluring. The hallmark of each plantation was the landhuis, where the master lived with his house slaves. The country estates were surrounded by the store houses and huts of the slaves, which were constructed of traditional wattle and daub mixed with cow dung and roofed with dried maize stalks.
In 1997 the historic area of Willemstad’s inner city and harbor was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. Today Curaçao boasts more than 860 historical and archaeological sites, including some 80 landhuizen. While visits to the old plantation houses require joining a tour or renting a car, the architectural jewels of Willemstad are best seen on foot; the city’s historic districts of Punda, Otobanda, and a smaller portion of Scharloo are easily seen in a four-hour walking tour.
Disclosure: Author Barbara Weibel visited Curaçao as part of a press trip, provided by the fabulous Marriott Resort and Emerald Casino, which is ideally located within walking distance of Willemstad.
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Ha! Isn’t it always the case. He had shares in the paint store. But I’m so glad he did. The town is a beauty.
Ha! Isn’t it always the case. He had shares in the paint store. But I’m so glad he did. The town is a beauty.
Ha! Isn’t it always the case. He had shares in the paint store. But I’m so glad he did. The town is a beauty.
That’s a great story about the bright white headache-inducing buildings, I suspect the paint store ownership was closer to the mark. You can see the Dutch influence in the style of the buildings and the birght shades indicate you’re in the tropics.
That’s a great story about the bright white headache-inducing buildings, I suspect the paint store ownership was closer to the mark. You can see the Dutch influence in the style of the buildings and the birght shades indicate you’re in the tropics.
That’s a great story about the bright white headache-inducing buildings, I suspect the paint store ownership was closer to the mark. You can see the Dutch influence in the style of the buildings and the birght shades indicate you’re in the tropics.
Architecture and colours are stunning. I can’t compete with my orange living room wall and Provence yellow/white bathroom
What a savvy marketer the governor was 
Architecture and colours are stunning. I can’t compete with my orange living room wall and Provence yellow/white bathroom
What a savvy marketer the governor was 
Architecture and colours are stunning. I can’t compete with my orange living room wall and Provence yellow/white bathroom
What a savvy marketer the governor was 
There is a similar-ish story to the bright colours in Buenos Aires charismatic area of Caminito (http://www.travel-wonders.com/2009/02/colourful-caminito-buenos-aires.html). This looks a great area for photography and I love the tall Dutch gables.
There is a similar-ish story to the bright colours in Buenos Aires charismatic area of Caminito (http://www.travel-wonders.com/2009/02/colourful-caminito-buenos-aires.html). This looks a great area for photography and I love the tall Dutch gables.
There is a similar-ish story to the bright colours in Buenos Aires charismatic area of Caminito (http://www.travel-wonders.com/2009/02/colourful-caminito-buenos-aires.html). This looks a great area for photography and I love the tall Dutch gables.
So pretty — I love the colorful architecture. Seems like a great blend of European and Caribbean influences.
So pretty — I love the colorful architecture. Seems like a great blend of European and Caribbean influences.
Great marketing ploy by the governor but at least with a beautiful and colorful effect. I like architecture with lots of color and variety.
Great marketing ploy by the governor but at least with a beautiful and colorful effect. I like architecture with lots of color and variety.
I love it – supply and demand at it’s best – even though it was fabricated. The result is some stunning buildings…and great photos ops!
I love it – supply and demand at it’s best – even though it was fabricated. The result is some stunning buildings…and great photos ops!
Love the bright colors. Great back story, too.
Love the bright colors. Great back story, too.
I can certainly see why the town has got World Heritage status, that place is just beautiful. Love the colors!
I can certainly see why the town has got World Heritage status, that place is just beautiful. Love the colors!
I can certainly see why the town has got World Heritage status, that place is just beautiful. Love the colors!
I love Curacao! The colors, the architecture, they are a great sight! Good read, thanks for posting.