Willemstad's origin and colonial heritage is reflected in colorful buildings and the lay-out of the inner city's four historic districts. The array of styles and periods in which the buildings came about, make Curacao's architecture a unique mirror of life in the tropics!

However, the city suffered badly from a public revolt in 1969, aggravated by the rigors of climate, sea salt, sun and wind. Historic Willemstad has gone a long way to earn the UNESCO hallmark. But rightly so; the determination and resourcefulness of a number of organizations and people brought the rapid dilapidation to a halt.