Paramaribo Essentials

Paramaribo’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is defined by its Dutch colonial architecture and multi-ethnic heritage. This selection features the Western Hemisphere's largest wooden cathedral and the 18th-century Fort Nieuw-Amsterdam. The city's identity is further explored through the monuments of Independence Square, the bustling Centrale Markt, and the sunken hull of the German ship Goslar. From the panoramic Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge to the WakaPasi craft boulevard, these sites represent the cultural and historical heart of Suriname.

Paramaribo Essentials — Map

Sn.fernandez / CC BY-SA 4.0

A

Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral, Paramaribo

The Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Peter and Paul, also called Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral, is a wooden Roman Catholic cathedral located in…

-JvL- / CC BY 2.0

B

Fort Nieuw-Amsterdam

Fort Nieuw-Amsterdam is a fort in Suriname built from 1734 to 1747 at the confluence of the Suriname and Commewijne rivers.

Mark Ahsmann / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Goslar

Goslar is a German turbine steamboat, and was in service as a freighter. She was built in 1929 in Hamburg.

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

D

Paramaribo Zoo

The Paramaribo Zoo is the only zoo in Suriname. The zoo opened in May 1972, and was an initiative of prime-minister Jopie Pengel.

E

Centrale Markt

A large multi-story riverside market. The ground floor is dedicated to fresh produce and fish, while a specialized section known as the 'Maroon market' offers traditional herbs and medicinal plants.

F

WakaPasi

A pedestrian boulevard lined with wooden kiosks selling authentic Surinamese crafts, jewelry, and local snacks. It is located adjacent to the historic Palmentuin palm grove.

G

Jules Wijdenboschbrug

A 1.5-kilometer-long bridge spanning the Suriname River. Reaching a height of 52 meters, it connects Paramaribo to the Commewijne District and provides views of the city skyline.

H

Baba & Mai

A bronze monument commemorating the arrival of the first indentured laborers from India in 1873. The figures represent 'Grandfather and Grandmother' looking toward their new home.

I

Statue of Queen Wilhelmina

A bronze statue of the Dutch monarch originally erected in 1923. It stands near Fort Zeelandia, serving as a prominent vestige of Suriname's colonial history.

J

Mama Sranan

Created by sculptor Jozef Klas, this monument depicts a mother holding five children, symbolizing the peaceful coexistence of Suriname's primary ethnic groups.

K

Johan Adolf Pengel Standbeeld

A bronze statue at Independence Square honoring the influential Prime Minister who played a pivotal role in Suriname's path toward autonomy in the 1960s.

L

Readytex

A prominent art gallery and boutique specializing in contemporary Surinamese fine art, traditional tribal woodcarvings, and indigenous handicrafts.

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