Exploring the Dutch Influence in Oranjestad

A Caribbean vacation with a distinctive Dutch flavor - that is what one experiences walking down the quaint streets of Oranjestad, capital of Aruba. The capital’s name Oranjestad is derived from the house of Orange, the royal family of Netherlands. The Dutch architectural influence is evident in the pastel-colored colonial houses and their gable roofs. Many visitors are not aware that several of these gingerbread style houses sporting the colors of the Caribbean are modern imitations of the older houses. A number of them on Wilheminastraat have been renovated to house museums, restaurants, and shopping complexes. One can also notice the Spanish influence in the balconies and gardens that abound with cactii.

Another distinctive reminder of the Dutch architectural influence on Aruba is the De Oude Molen or the windmill in Oranjestad. Built in Netherlands in 1804, it was dismantled and shipped to Aruba and reassembled piece by piece. Today, it houses a restaurant that specializes in continental fare.

Aruba’s Historical Museum in Fort Zoutman and the William III Tower offer a glimpse of the country’s colonial history. The fort has also played a vital role in shaping the country’s history in the battles against British forces. Williamstad, capital of Curacao, a former colony along with Aruba in the Dutch Antilles also has buildings and streets with a distinct Dutch architectural influence.

Touches of Oranjestad’s Dutch heritage are evident in the names of its international airport, named after Queen Beatrix of Netherlands and the names of its streets like Zoutmanstraat and parks like Wilhemina Park. But there’s a lot more to the island than the Dutch architectural influence that travel websites about Oranjestad like to highlight. Four-wheel tours from Oranjestad around Aruba give visitors a glimpse of the island’s most famous icons: the divi-divi trees, as well as a tour of a unique butterfly farm, an ostrich farm, and an aloe balm factory.