Landhuis Groot Davelaar

About

Landhuis Groot Davelaar is a remarkable and architecturally unusual colonial plantation house located on Eridanusweg in the central part of Willemstad, built around 1865 by the revolutionary Venezuelan refugee Guzman Blanco, who later became the president of Venezuela. Blanco fled to Curaçao as a political exile and built this plantation house during his time on the island, infusing it with architectural influences from his homeland. The plantation Groot Davelaar was actually a small estate and was never profitable, but the colonial house itself is a remarkable mixture of traditional Curaçao style and Renaissance influences, creating a unique architectural hybrid that stands apart from other landhuizen on the island. The most distinctive feature of the house is its eight-sided octagonal hall, surrounded by a gallery from which the view over approximately ten other colonial houses in the surrounding area is magnificent. This panoramic view makes Landhuis Groot Davelaar one of the best viewpoints among Curaçao's plantation houses, offering a sweeping perspective over the island's colonial landscape. The octagonal hall design is rare in Curaçaoan colonial architecture and reflects Blanco's Venezuelan influences and personal taste. The connection to Guzman Blanco, one of the most significant political figures in 19th-century Venezuelan history, adds a fascinating layer of international historical significance to the property. Landhuis Groot Davelaar is located about 10 minutes from downtown Willemstad and is an excellent stop for visitors interested in colonial architecture, Venezuelan-Curaçaoan historical connections, and heritage photography. The house can be combined with visits to nearby Landhuis Zeelandia and Landhuis Brievengat for a self-guided tour of the colonial houses in the central and northern parts of the island.

Eridanusweg z/n

How to get there

Located on Eridanusweg in the central part of Willemstad, about 10 min from downtown.