Historical sites in Curaçao

Historical Sites & Ruins

Curaçao’s history is preserved through the UNESCO-listed architecture of Willemstad’s Punda and Otrobanda districts and a network of 18th and 19th-century plantation houses known as landhuizen. This collection features prominent manors like Landhuis Ascension alongside the remains of former estates such as Landhuis Jeremi and Porto Marie. Defensive structures, including the waterfront Rif Fort and coastal batteries like Fort Sint Michiel, illustrate the island's strategic maritime past, while ancient cave drawings offer a glimpse into its pre-colonial origins.

Historical Sites & Ruins — Map

JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Historic Area of Willemstad

The unique historical core is protected by UNESCO. No wonder - the narrow streets and colourful houses are so charming!

Wal, H. van der / CC BY-SA 4.0

B

Rif Fort

The historical fort and waterfront development is one huge entertainment, dining and shopping complex. Always busy and bustling.

C

Landhuis Vredenberg

A 19th-century plantation house located in the Vredenberg area.

D

Landhuis Ascension

Built in 1672 on the site of an ancient Amerindian village, this is one of the island's oldest and best-preserved plantation houses.

E

Magasina landhuis Ascension

The former storehouse or warehouse belonging to the Ascension plantation estate.

F

Landhuis San Sebastian

A 19th-century manor house situated on a hill with views over the surrounding former plantation grounds.

G

Landhuis Jeremi

The ruins of a 19th-century plantation house overlooking the bay of the same name.

H

Landhuis Porto Marie

Remains of a plantation house that was once part of the Porto Marie estate, which dates back to the late 17th century.

I

Landhuis Zorgvliet

Ruins of an 18th-century plantation house located in the western part of the island.

J

Landhuis Choloma

Ruins of a plantation house situated in the eastern region of Curaçao.

K

Landhuis Patrick

Ruins of a plantation house located near the north coast, formerly part of a prominent livestock estate.

L

Landhuis Rif Sint Marie

Ruins of an 18th-century plantation house situated near the salt pans of Jan Kok.

M

Landhuis Pos Spaño

Ruins of a plantation house located within the Christoffel National Park area.

N

Landhuis San Hironimo

Ruins of a former plantation house in the western district of the island.

O

Landhuis Zevenbergen

Ruins of a 19th-century plantation house located near the hills of the Christoffel National Park.

P

Landhuis Duivelsklip

Ruins of a plantation house situated on the remote eastern coast of the island.

Q

Landhuis Fuik

Ruins of a plantation house located near the Fuik Bay area in eastern Curaçao.

R

Cave Drawings

Ancient rock art and petroglyphs likely created by the island's indigenous Arawak inhabitants.

S

Fort Sint Michiel

An 18th-century coastal fort built to defend the entrance of Sint Michiel Bay from pirates and French invaders.

T

Fort Piscadera

Built in the 1700s by the Dutch West India Company, this fort protected the entrance to Piscadera Bay.

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