Willemstad Hoodies

Revisit your favorite Dutch town with this picturesque design.

gateway to the paradise

The island of Curaçao is located 40 miles north of the Venezuelan coast. The original inhabitants of Curaçao were Arawak peoples. Their ancestors had migrated to the island from the mainland of South America, likely hundreds of years before Europeans arrived. The first Europeans recorded as seeing the island were members of a Spanish expedition under the leadership of Alonso de Ojeda in 1499. The Dutch West India Company founded the capital of Willemstad on the banks of an inlet called the 'Schottegat'. Curaçao had been ignored by colonists, because it lacked gold deposits. The natural harbour of Willemstad proved to be an ideal spot for trade. Commerce and shipping — and piracy—became Curaçao's most important economic activities. In ad...

Willemstad is a Southern Caribbean cruise port and the capital city of Curacao (Leeward Islands, Dutch Antiles) - an island country, one of the overseas territories of The Netherlands (Holland). In this original photograph by Christine aka stine1, the smiling AIDAluna cruise ship is docking at night with the Queen Juliana Bridge in the background.

Willemstad Curacao Governor's Palace ©Debra Martz In Punda along the St Anna Bay, the Palace stands on the site where Fort Amsterdam, the first fort, was built in 1635. It serves as both a residence and a place of work which also contains other official government offices. In front stands the World War II remembrance memorial 'Lady of Abundance'. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved

The Temple Emanu-El Willemstad Curacao by Debra Martz On The inauguration of this synagogue was on September 12, 1867. Today it is the prosecutor's office. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved

Fortkirche aka Fort Church in Fort Amsterdam Willemstad Curacao ©Debra Martz Fort Amsterdam is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This beautiful old citadel, which stands on the site where the first fort was built in 1635, now serves as the home of the island’s governor plus contains other government offices. Inside the large quadrangle courtyard, all sides are of mustard-yellow Dutch colonial architecture. The only building that's open to the public is the 1769 Fortkirche, aka Fort Church, centered in this image.

Colorful Houses of Willemstad, Curacao.

Colorful Mural in Punda Willemstad Curacao ©Debra Martz There is art everywhere when you go walking around Punda. One of many large and vibrant works of art! ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved

Otrobanda District of Willemstad Curacao ©Debra Martz Old city quarter Otrobanda features brightly painted colonial buildings as seen at the waterfront across St Anna Bay from the Punda district. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved

Rif Fort View To Queen Emma Bridge©Debra Martz From one of many arched openings in an upper floor of the fort, there is a view of the Queen Emma Bridge for pedestrians which links the Willemstad Districts from Otrobanda to Punda on the right side of St. Anna Bay. This quintessential old world bridge is the only functional pontoon bridge remaining in the world. It is AKA Old Swinging Lady as it swings open to allow boats to travel through to the bay. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved

Punda Love Hearts In Abundance ©Debra Martz The hearts are located on the Punda side of the Queen Emma Bridge, composed with a colorful bit of Handelskade behind them. The plaque reads Lock Your Love on the "Punda Love Hearts" by Carlos Blaaker. There were so many locks they seemed to be pouring out over each other. With that thought in mind I turned to a few software programs to create the look of Hearts almost dripping with love, locks that is. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved

Punda Love Hearts ©Debra Martz The hearts are located on the Punda side of the Queen Emma Bridge, the arches of it which are seen behind the locks of love. The plaque reads Lock Your Love on the "Punda Love Hearts" by Carlos Blaaker. Perhaps the heart structures were strategically placed here to prevent lovers from hanging locks on the historic pontoon bridge of Willemstad, Curacao. If so, it seems to have worked. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved

The Flag of Curacao

Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge Curacao ©Debra Martz Built in 1888 and named after a Dutch queen, this floating bridge connects the Punda and Otrobanda neighborhoods of Curaçao's capital Willemstad. It swings open on pontoons to allow boat/ship traffic through the narrow harbor giving it the nickname of The Old Swinging Lady. The bridge is now for pedestrians only. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved

Arriving in Colorful Curaçao at Sunrise ©Debra Martz Well, I knew Willemstad, Curaçao was known for its colorful buildings but what a pleasant arrival with the sunrise and its stunning clouds and color! ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved

Rif Fort Curacao ©Debra Martz After walking a short distance from the port of Willemstad, is the Rif Fort (translated - Reef Fort). The fort is now part of Renaissance mall with the interior updated with quaint outlets featuring eateries and shops. Several stairways allow access to the roof with great views of Otrobanda and Punda districts plus St Anna Bay. As the exterior welcome sign indicates, it was constructed in 1828 with walls a foot thick and outfitted with 56 cannons and 27 arches to provide increased protection against pirates and enemies. In 1942, the Fort became operational again and was equipped with two 37mm-machineguns as part of the security for the Shell Oil Refinery during World War II. I have used m...

Welcome To Curacao ©Debra Martz Shortly after deboarding from the cruise ship all were welcomed to the island of Curacao by these lovely ladies. The sign is colorful which goes perfectly with the colorful city of Willemstad. I further enhanced the colors and textures with several filters added to my original photograph. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved

DUSHI Tourist Attraction in Punda by Debra Martz The Queen Wilhelmina Park in Punda is the location of two words standing 1.5 meter-high. Those words are DUSHI (nice/sweet) and CURACAO. Tourist line up to get their photos, family photos, etc in front of, standing on, or sitting in the large letters. The statue on the left is Queen Wilhelmina. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved

CURACAO Tourist Attraction by Debra Martz The Queen Wilhelmina Park in Punda is the location of two words standing 1.5 meter-high. Those words are DUSHI (nice/sweet) and CURACAO. Tourist line up to get their individual photos, family photos, etc. in front of, standing on, or sitting in the large letters. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved

Country of Curacao

Hot and colorful neon color night in Willemstad on the Caribbean island Curacao. Unique cruise travel souvenir.

The Flag of Curacao

The Flag of Curacao