Page 492 - The Dutch Caribbean Isles

Saba Unique architecture

There is one road on Saba which connects the four small settlements of
Windwardside, The Bottom, Hell’s Gate and St. Johns. Although the villages
are distinguished by small differences, there is one striking similarity.
The buildings on the island are all of the exact same style, which is rooted
in West-Indian architecture. This applies to the lay-out, the white wooden
facades, green shutters and bright red sloped roofs. Typically Saban, the artful
‘Gingerbread’ woodcutting is prominently found on fascias, pergolas and fencing.

The story behind the uniformity of buildings is instructive. The first
home-owners were rich ship-builders. At the time it was only possible to bring
goods ashore with the help of small vessels. It took 524 steps up the ladder
of Ladder Bay for the material to reach its destination. Materials larger than
planks and poles could therefore not be used in construction.

Everywhere on the island you will find these cottages, a large share of these
houses is completely authentic.