Queen Emma pontoon bridge, Willemstad

Curacao

Today’s travel photo is from a 17th century Dutch trading settlement. It’s been many years since I visited, but I remember being enthralled by the cheerful, charming capital of Curacao and the Netherlands Antilles. Apparently, I’m not the only one. UNESCO has decided the European colonial old town and harbour of Willemstad is worth preserving and added it to its World Heritage list in 1997.

One of the interesting features of Willemstad is Queen Emma. Queen Emma pontoon bridge, that is. A ship channel separates Punda and Otrabanda, the two parts of town. With childish glee, I enjoyed waiting and watching as the pontoon bridge swung into place.

Willemstad, Curacao

Where:

Willemstad, Curacao – capital of the former autonomous Dutch region Netherlands Antilles.

Curacao is part of the group of islands known as the ABC-islands – Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. After the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved in 2010, the three Caribbean islands have varying degrees of ties to the Dutch motherland. Like Aruba, Curacao is a constituent country within the Netherlands.

 

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The Historic Area of Willemstad, Inner City and Harbour, Curaçao is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Here are more UNESCO World Heritage sites around the world.