History Curaçao, an island in the Caribbean, is and will always be connected to the sea. Its strategic location and natural deep water harbor made it a major seafaring and commercial center from very early in its history. A rich history that continues to influence the daily lives of its community. The Curaçao Maritime Museum established itself with the goal to bring this unique maritime past to life.
The building The Curaçao Maritime Museum is vested in an old
colonial two-storied mansion build in 1729. After this
building was completely burned down in 1988, it was
spectacularly restored. The interior is designed in
maritime style, complete with a gangplank, portholes
and ship railings. The Museum was inaugurated in
December 1998.
The Exhibition The Curaçao Maritime Museum harmoniously embraces the age old maritime history and modern twentieth century design. Visitors will take a discovery tour of more than 500 years of maritime history of the island of Curaçao. The story line is illustrated through authentic nautical charts, ship models and navigation equipment combined with modern day audiovisual techniques. All sorts of interesting details of the Curaçao maritime history are revered.
The Royal Netherlands Navy The Netherlands Antilles, which Curaçao is part of, is a self governed department of the Netherlands. The Royal Netherlands Navy has its own marine base on the island. The Curaçao Maritime Museum has a two-room exhibition about the marine past and future in the West, put together by the Marine Museum in Den Helder, Holland.
This exhibition will show you that Navy is not just a tool of war.
The Royal Netherlands Navy has a social and moral embodied role.
The Alphen In 1778 a Dutch Marine frigate, named De Alphen, exploded in the Curaçao harbor, the St. Anna Bay. In 1984 they started excavating the remains of this ship. A few hundred objects, like canons, building stones, glass and ceramic bottles for water and wine, have been restored and conserved.
This section of underwater archaeology gives the visitor an insight of the artifacts used by seamen on board during the last centuries. There is much to learn from the past, even if it is just a piece of something.
Steam for oil The oil industry made a huge impact on the Curaçao community at the beginning of the century. In 1918 the oil refinery started its production, refining Venezuelan oil from the Lake of Maracaibo.
The oil industry brought welfare for the local people and was the incense for further development of the harbor activities in the Schottegat Bay.
The Curaçao Maritime Museum has a separate exhibition about the oil industry on the island. A full working miniature of the refinery (7x3m. - 21' x9') makes this exhibition not just educational, but moreover exiting.
Educational Programs The Curaçao Maritime Museum has different educational project running. Education is one of
the main goals of the museum. Over 3,000 children visit the museum every year.
Temporary exhibitions The Curaçao Maritime Museum has reserved one of its wings for temporary exhibitions.
The themes are very diverse, but always within the maritime boundaries.
Harbor Tours Special arrangements are available for the visitors of the Curaçao Maritime Museum
to take a guided harbor tour, with a 'water-taxi' through one of the oldest and busiest harbors
in the Caribbean. The tour ends back at the Museum, where a guided tour inside ties
everything together, putting it all into historical perspective.
Museum Shop and Cuban Bar The Curaçao Maritime Museum has a little unique gift shop, were interesting books about
the island, old photo's and maps, postcards and not-every-day souvenirs are found.
On the first floor of the museum, visitors can take some time out and refresh themselves in a,
Cuban-style, bar overlooking the harbor.
Information For more information, contact the Curaçao Maritime Museum at
Telephone: (5999) 465-2327
Facsimile: (5999) 461-9512
(the first four digits are to be dialed only if you are outside of Curaçao)
e-mail: info@curacaomaritime.com
Opening hours From Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 16:00.
Closed on Sundays (except when there are cruise ships in)
