Page 19 - Discover Curacao

OTROBANDA
Otrobanda means ‘the other side’ and was first settled in 1707 when they
simply ran out of space in Punda. The buildings in the Breede- straat were
constructed like in Punda, with commercial space down- stairs and living
quarters above. By 1774, Otrobanda had grown as large as Punda. In the
18th and 19th centuries, freed slaves began moving to the city and the
spacious dwellings of Otrobanda were renovated into more modest living
quarters and small shops.
With the establishment of its first working-class neighborhood, the city center
took shape. In the 20th century, Otrobanda became an important cultural
center for the emerging black middle class on the island. Local entrepreneur
Jacob Gelt Dekker began refurbishing buildings in the area in 2000 and
established the Kurá Hulanda Museum. In contrast to Punda’s orderly grid, a
maze of winding streets and alleyways give Otrobanda a more intimate feel.

TO DO IN OTROBANDA:

Visit a barbershop.

Wander the historic streets.

Try a sip of Ròm Bèrde (green rum) at Netto Bar.

“ Visit Kurá Hulanda Museum to experience the full diversity of Curaçao,
from Dutch and Caribbean culture to African, Chinese and Hindu,
including an exhibit on the transatlantic slave trade.
”
JACOB GELT DEKKER, RESTORER & ENTREPENEUR