The Foundation

Stichting Monumentenzorg Curaçao, the Curaçao Monuments Foundation, is a non-profit organization founded in 1954. It is the oldest and largest organization active in the field of preservation in the Netherlands Antilles.

The Foundation aims at the preservation and restoration of valuable cultural property of Curaçao and of the urban heritage of Historic Willemstad in particular. Secondly, it seeks to promote public awareness and interest for the cultural heritage of Curaçao. This is expressed in the Foundation's motto Tua Res Agitur - Your interest is at stake.
Its core activities include the acquisition, restoration and management of the cultural property of Curaçao and save it for future generations.

The Foundation has carried out a considerable number of restoration projects. Appropriate adaptable re-use of monuments owned by the Foundation ranges from low- and middle income housing to office buildings and museums.

Resources for restoration are drawn from the exploitation of restored property, from subsidies provided by The Island Territory of Curaçao and from project-funding by The Kingdom of the Netherlands.

(Photo of Foundation’s signboard and office)

Currently the Foundation owns some hundred buildings and building complexes island wide. Among these are three forts, ten country estates, the old meat-market and a former synagogue. The majority of the Foundation’s property however consists of historic mansions and townhouses in the Historic Inner City of Willemstad.

Other important elements of Curaçao’s legacy, such as public statues and antique Curaçao furniture, have also been put in the Foundation’s custody.

(Photo of landmark monument and typical Curaçao furniture)