The port of Willemstad is located on the island of Curacao, an independent country that is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Curacao is located off the coast of Venezuela. This island is part of the formation of islands called ABC (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao). The Dutch-influenced architecture, with a touch of pastel Caribbean colours, is very picturesque.
Discovered in 1499 by the Spanish, Curacao was taken over by the Dutch in 1634 to establish a naval base. The city of Willemstad, the capital and UNESCO site, is made up of two districts separated by a canal. The floating pedestrian bridge is a symbol of the city.
Legend has it that the governor of the island, Albert Kikkert, ordered the owners of the island to paint their buildings with colors, because the reflection of the sun on the white buildings caused him migraines. Some also say that after his death it would have been discovered that he had shares in the painting company of the island.
