Five statues to observe on your next trip to Willemstad

(Photo by Todd DeFeo/The DeFeo Groupe)

WILLEMSTAD, Curaçao — One of the draws of Curaçao is the island’s deep history. The island is home to many museums, and the Willemstad city center has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The downtown area is also home to several statues of famous Curaçao residents who played in a pivotal role in the country’s history.

Here is a look at a few of the statues on display in the heart of Willemstad.

(Photo by Todd DeFeo/The DeFeo Groupe)

Luis Brión

Pedro Luis Brión studied in Holland and fought against the British and the Spanish in the Caribbean. The Curaçao native participated in the Venezuelan War of Independence, rising to the rank of admiral in the navies of Venezuela and the old Republic of Colombia. He died of tuberculosis in 1821.

(Photo by Todd DeFeo/The DeFeo Groupe)

Dr. Moises Frumencio Da Costa Gomez

Dr. Moises Frumencio da Costa Gomez served as the president of the first Governing Council (Regeringsraad) of the Netherlands Antilles. As such, he is often referred to as the first Prime Minister.

(Photo by Todd DeFeo/The DeFeo Groupe)

Dr. Efraïn Jonckheer

Dr. Efraïn Jonckheer served as the prime minister of the Netherlands Antilles starting in 1954 when he succeeded Moises Frumencio da Costa Gomez as head of government. As such, he became the first official prime minister of the Netherlands Antilles, a position he held until 1968.

(Photo by Todd DeFeo/The DeFeo Groupe)

Carlos Manuel Piar

Manuel Carlos María Francisco Piar Gómez was the general-in-chief of the army fighting Spain during the Venezuelan War of Independence. In 1817, Simón Bolívar ordered Piar to be arrested and tried for desertion, insubordination and conspiring against the government.

Piar was executed in October 1817. Bolívar, who decided not to witness the execution. After hearing the shots, he said with tears, “I have spilled my blood” (“He derramado mi sangre” in Spanish).

(Photo by Todd DeFeo/The DeFeo Groupe)

Amado E.J. Römer

Amado Emilio José (E.J.) Römer was a priest and social fighter who established credit unions and trade unions. Römer died in 2010, and the statue was erected on May 1, 2012.

Palazzo Vecchio
About Sightseers’ Delight 495 Articles
Sightseers’ Delight started publishing in June 2016. The site, published by The DeFeo Groupe, collects and curates content about places where historical events large and small happened. The site builds off the legacy of The Travel Trolley, which launched in June 2009. The site aimed to be a virtual version of the trolley tours offered in so many cities.