Landhuis Raphael

About

Landhuis Raphael is a historic colonial plantation house located on a hill in the Piscadera area on Curaçao's western coast, offering splendid panoramic views over Klein and Groot Piscadera. The plantation house is situated against a hillside with a barn and a picturesque village square, creating a scene that captures the essence of Curaçao's colonial rural landscape. The plantation Raphael once maintained a fairly large livestock operation and was also known for selling plaster, a building material that was in demand during the island's colonial construction boom. Despite its scenic location and agricultural activities, the plantation turned out to be not very lucrative and was sold at auction in 1852 to a merchant from out of town who used the colonial house as a country residence rather than a working plantation. In 1976, the house was struck by a whirlwind that caused significant damage, and the building has since deteriorated considerably. Today, the ruins of Landhuis Raphael stand as a haunting and photogenic reminder of Curaçao's colonial past, with the deteriorating walls and overgrown vegetation creating a dramatic contrast against the Caribbean sky. The elevated position of the house provides one of the best viewpoints in the Piscadera area, overlooking the bay, the surrounding countryside, and the nearby resort developments. Landhuis Raphael is located about 10 minutes west of Willemstad and can be reached by following signs to Piscadera from the main road. The site is ideal for visitors interested in colonial history, heritage photography, and off-the-beaten-path exploration. The ruins can be combined with visits to nearby Landhuis Blauw at Blue Bay Resort and the Piscadera Bay beach area for a half-day of historical and coastal exploration.

Piscadera

How to get there

Located in the Piscadera area, about 10 min west of Willemstad. Follow signs to Piscadera from the main road.