After the Great Hurricane of 1877 demolished his house in Pietermaai, dentist dr. David Ricardo resolved to build a house at the highest point of Skalo Abou, sturdy as a fortress and elevated on top of an impressive cellar space. The sea would not take this mansion – ‘Villa Maria’ – , which he presumably named after his wife Miriam.

In Otrobanda, a remarkable red building overlooks the St. Anna Bay and the colorful Handelskade. Currently it houses Restaurant “De Gouverneur’. The building used to be adjacent to the water until a road was built in front of it after the 2nd World War. Today it is a prime location to enjoy a meal and watch the ships passing by.

Perched on the Seru Sablika, Fort Nassau rules over the Schottegat Harbor. The fortress was built at the end of the 18th century to protect the Anna Bay and part of Willemstad. The hill was part of Plantation De Klip when the authorities decided to commandeer the land.

Pachi de Sola is located on the Scharlooweg 150-152, overlooking the Waaigat. In 1762 the building was sold to the family Dovale, who held on to it for almost a century. Locally the building is also known as ‘Kranshi Bieu’, as it is the former location of the Civil Registry office (kranshi).

As you take the first exit to Punda from the bridge, the stately Aura Winkel building is the first major monument to greet you on your way into Scharloo. Situated at the Scharlooweg 72-76 this remarkable building stands an uncharacteristic three stories high – plus a little observation tower on top.

The Temple ‘Emanu-Él’ is situated at the Hendrikplein in the middle of Punda. It stands alone just a stone’s throw from the deep blue Caribbean ocean, its back cradled by a wing of the Water Fort. Since its restoration in 1997, it houses the Public Prosecutor’s office, but it has quite a history.