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LOCAL Thursday 16 November 2023

Visit the historic museum at Fort Zoutman!

(Oranjestad)—Located in not part of the original
the middle of downtown structure of the fort, and
Oranjestad, situated right is actually called “Willem
next to the government III Toren”. Constructed in
building “Cocolishi”, is one 1867, this tower was named
of the oldest buildings of after the then-reigning king
Aruba: Fort Zoutman. First of The Netherlands, Willem
constructed in 1796, this III. Willem III Toren was origi-
site has been used (or left nally a light tower, but after
unused) in many ways and a request from Lieutenant
have survived eras of war Governor Jan Helenus in
and attempted disman- 1866, it also became a bell
tling. tower.

When anyone refers to Fort The fort itself was origi-
Zoutman, they are actu- nally constructed to pro-
ally referring to two sepa- tect the commerce bay
rate buildings that, over the of Paardenbaai from pi-
years, have been merged: rates and other disrepu- Zoutman had a more tu- the English military several Despite its small size, The
the fort and the tower. table characters roaming multuous past, including times (The Netherlands was Historic Museum guards a
That’s right, the iconic the Caribbean Sea. Unlike the on-and-off reception at constant war with Eng- rich depository of the com-
5-story, squared tower was the Willem III Toren, Fort of unwanted members of land back in the colonial mercial, military and social
era). history of Oranjestad, offer-
ing a glance into how the
Over the years, both the social culture of the town
fort and the tower had came to be. If you are in-
functioned as different terested in history and want
government center points, to learn more about Aruba,
including a tax and stamps then Fort Zoutman should
office. For some time these definitely be included into
two buildings also housed your itinerary.
a police precinct and jail,
and even experienced The museum is open Mon-
abandonment until the day to Friday from 9am-
Cultural Center Aruba 6pm, and Saturday from
Foundation (CCA) peti- 10am-2pm. q
tioned for its renovation in
Aruba to me 1964, turning the site into Source: The Old Fort of Aruba
by Jan Hartog.
the Historic Museum it cur-
rently is.
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