As you explore Willemstad, pay special attention to
these historic areas—with their bustling trading ports, duty-free shops,
religious centers, and more—to learn all about this incredible city.
Punda
The gorgeous St. Anna Bay divides Willemstad into
two major districts—Punda on the east and Otrobanda on the west. When the
Dutch captured the island from Spain in 1634, Punda (from “Punta,” or “the
point” in Papiamentu) was born. The new leaders began to build a fort, Fort
Amsterdam, to protect their settlement, and soon the city began to
grow.
Today, the Fort serves as the seat of the Government
of the Netherlands Antilles. Along with what are now Columbusstraat,
Madurostraat, and Handelskade ("Commerce Street"), the
up-and-coming Dutch Protestant merchants built their combined offices,
warehouses, stores, and living quarters. The basic layout of this area,
with its narrow perpendicular streets, hasn't changed much over the
centuries.
Otrobanda
In 1707, building permits were granted for
Otrobanda, "The Other Side.” The buildings along Otrobanda’s
Breedestraat were similar to those in Punda, with commercial space
downstairs and living quarters on the upper floors. Off Breedestraat, a
grand residential neighborhood was built by those eager for stately
mansions reflecting their higher social standing.
In contrast to the neat grid of Punda, Otrobanda is
a maze of twisting streets and alleyways, giving the neighborhood its own
intimate charm. By 1774, with 300 houses, Otrobanda was as big as Punda. In
the 18th and19th centuries, free blacks began to migrate to the city. Some
of the spacious Otrobanda yards were built over with more modest living
quarters and small craft shops, forming the city's first working class
neighborhood and urban center. By the 20th century, Otrobanda had become a
major cultural center for the rising black middle class. Many of the
island's notable politicians, professionals, artists, and musicians
grew up there.
Scharloo and Pietermaai
Outside Punda and Otrobanda, you’ll find Scharloo
and Pietermaai, home to a wealth of gorgeous restored mansions. These two
suburbs are listed along with Willemstad on the UNESCO World Heritage List,
commemorating their unique value to the world's cultural and natural
heritage.
