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Willemstad: UNESCO World Heritage City

In 1997, Willemstad joined the ranks of Old Havana, Old San Juan and Colonial Santo Domingo as UNESCO World Heritage cities in the Caribbean. UNESCO rated Willemstad's historic area, inner city and harbor as a "European colonial ensemble of outstanding value and integrity… which illustrates the organic growth of a multicultural community."

What makes Willemstad unique in the world is its legacy of multiculturalism. UNESCO declared, "The Historic Area of Willemstad universally stands out as a type of city which genuinely demonstrates continuity in historical and social-cultural development over the course of centuries through an authentic historic urban structure and architecture."

The Punda district, once fortified and walled, along with its neighboring districts of Otrobanda, Pietermaai and Scharloo, preserve some 765 buildings as national monuments. Chief among these are Fort Amsterdam, the Governor's Palace, Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue and the colorful Penha building on the waterfront.

The island's 373 years of historical heritage extend beyond the city limits. With eight forts, 55 restored landhuizen (plantation or land houses) and dozens of kunuku (stick-and-mud slave-type houses), a drive across the island is a history lesson in itself.

After decades of preservation efforts, Willemstad is proud to be counted among the best of the best. The United Nations lists 644 cultural properties as World Heritage Sites including the Taj Mahal, Great Wall of China and Acropolis.