Landhuis Rooi Katootje

About

Landhuis Rooi Katootje is a historic colonial plantation house of nearly 75 acres, originally called "Rust en Vree" (meaning peace and quiet), located in the Rooi Catootje neighborhood on the eastern outskirts of Willemstad. The colonial home was built around 1820 and was used as a country residence for most of its history, serving as a peaceful retreat for wealthy townspeople who wanted to escape the heat of the city. The name "rooij" refers to a drainage system for rainwater, a feature of Curaçao's dry climate landscape that was essential for agriculture and water management on the island. Landhuis Rooi Katootje is historically valuable for the history of the former Dutch Antilles because the Round Table conference was held there — the conference that established the self-government of the Dutch Antilles, making this plantation house a site of significant political and constitutional importance in Caribbean history. In memory of Salomon (Mongui) Abraham Levy Maduro, a foundation carrying his name was established on March 5, 1974 by his widow Mrs. Rachel Louise (Lou) L. Maduro and his daughter Mrs. Ena Dankmeijer-Maduro. The Mongui Maduro Foundation comprises the plantation house Rooi Katootje, its antique furniture, and its priceless library, which contains a unique collection of Antilliana and Judaica — one of the most important historical and cultural libraries in the Caribbean. It was Mr. Maduro's desire to make his valuable collection available to the public, and the resulting library not only allows visitors to share its contents as a reference collection but also maintains Rooi Katootje as a historical monument. The house is located on Schottegatweg Oost, about 10 minutes east of downtown Willemstad, and is part of the Mongui Maduro Foundation. Landhuis Rooi Katootje is ideal for visitors interested in colonial architecture, Jewish heritage, Caribbean political history, and historical libraries. The house can be combined with visits to the nearby Children's Museum Curaçao and the Mongui Maduro Museum, both located on the same estate.

Rooi Katootje

Hours

Mon-Fri 09:00-15:00, Sat-Sun Closed

How to get there

Located on Schottegatweg Oost, about 10 min east of downtown Willemstad. Part of the Mongui Maduro Foundation.