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LOCAL Tuesday 24 March 2026
Visit the historic museum at Fort Zoutman!

(Oranjestad)—Located in 5-story, squared tower was Caribbean Sea. Unlike the tural Center Aruba Founda- day to Friday from 9am-
the middle of downtown not part of the original Willem III Toren, Fort Zout- tion (CCA) petitioned for its 6pm, and Saturday from
Oranjestad, situated right structure of the fort, and man had a more tumul- renovation in 1964, turning 10am-2pm.q
next to the government is actually called “Willem tuous past, including the the site into the Historic Mu-
building “Cocolishi”, is one III Toren”. Constructed in on-and-off reception of seum it currently is. Source: The Old Fort of Aruba
of the oldest buildings of 1867, this tower was named unwanted members of the by Jan Hartog.
Aruba: Fort Zoutman. First after the then-reigning king English military several times Despite its small size, The
constructed in 1796, this of The Netherlands, Willem (The Netherlands was at Historic Museum guards a
site has been used (or left III. Willem III Toren was origi- constant war with England rich depository of the com-
unused) in many ways and nally a light tower, but after back in the colonial era). mercial, military and social
have survived eras of war a request from Lieutenant history of Oranjestad, offer-
and attempted disman- Governor Jan Helenus in Over the years, both the ing a glance into how the
tling. 1866, it also became a bell fort and the tower had social culture of the town
tower. functioned as different came to be. If you are in-
When anyone refers to Fort government center points, terested in history and want
Zoutman, they are actu- The fort itself was originally including a tax and stamps to learn more about Aruba,
ally referring to two sepa- constructed to protect office. For some time these then Fort Zoutman should
rate buildings that, over the the commerce bay of two buildings also housed definitely be included into
years, have been merged: Paardenbaai from pirates a police precinct and jail, your itinerary.
the fort and the tower. and other disreputable and even experienced
That’s right, the iconic characters roaming the abandonment until the Cul- The museum is open Mon-

The Aruban way of life: Creating community with Cas di Torto

(Oranjestad)—The Aruban Cas di Torto: History and con- and twigs from the warero have their house built before ing water and mixing the
people understand that a struction and sisal plant, daubed with they could tie the knot and mud.
happy life is spent in great The origin of the Cas di a mixture of grass and mud. start their own family. This is
ambience with your loved Torto is said to date back Finally, the walls got a coat where the help of the com- The average duration of con-
ones. Passed down from to the early 19th century in of white plaster to seal ev- munity comes into play. structing a Cas di Torto was
one generation to the oth- the Paraguana Peninsula in erything in. 4 months.
er, building community has Venezuela. Refugees who Neighbors, extended family
been a key aspect in forging sought sanctuary on Aruba For roofing, corn stalks, and friends would all help in At the end of a long day of
our traditions and customs. introduced this building palm fonds and straws were the construction of a Torto work, everyone would gath-
The Cas di Torto (mud house) method to the island. used, allowing air to flow House. And everyone had a er around and enjoy a feast
played a big role in cultivat- freely through the house. role: The men oversaw the of hearty food. This type of
ing community, bridging The uprights of the walls were This method of roofing was building of the house, and help from friends and family
families together and form- made with sturdy and straight known throughout the ABC the women were tasked with became a tradition and was
ing close bonds with your wayaca or kwihi wood, or islands (Aruba, Curacao, collecting wood and straws, called “paga lomba”: You
neighbors—something we from thin mangrove struts. Bonaire), but the use of cooking and taking care of help me today; I’ll help you
highly value today. Then, the wattle walls were cornstalks in Aruba eventu- the little ones. tomorrow.
weaved in using branches ally got replaced with use of
mud and white plaster for The couple’s family were pri- Nowadays, traditional Cas
the roofs. The white plaster marily responsible for feeding di Torto are rare, especially
all around made the houses everyone who helped build those that are still inhabited.
looks like cake, hence the the house. Before construc- Houses that do exist prob-
name “Torto” (Spanish for tion, someone usually had ably date back more than
“cake”). the task to prepare the a century.q
meal; going fishing or slaugh-
Building community ter farm animals like goats, Picture credits: Aruba Na-
Building Torto houses was chicken or sheep. Even the tional Library (BNA) and the
often a community effort. older kids had their tasks; the Monumentbureau archive on
Coleccion.aw
Young couples who were older children of the family
about to get married had to usually helped with collect-