The plantation house "Rooi
Catootje", situated
in one of Curaçao's busiest residential areas, does not
instantly
catch the eye. Surrounded by a wooded area and set back from the road,
it is passed daily by
many who do not realize that the house and its collection represent a
unique
historical monument, not only for Curaçao, but also for the
Netherlands
Antilles.
The mansion dates from about 1820
and
was originally built on a plantation known as "Rust en Vrede" (Rest
&
Peace); the name "Rooi Catootje" was adopted in the mid-nineteenth
century.
Since 1853, the house has been the property of the Maduro family, when
S.E.L. Maduro brought it as a gift to his wife Rebecca Curiel from her
parents' estate. Thus, Rooi Catootje became the family's country
residence.
Rooi
Catootje can be considered an outstanding example of the typical
architecture
of the Curaçao plantation house. Its rectangular two-story
central
building is completely surrounded on the lower floor by closed
galleries
and on three sides by terraces.
Its location is in tune with the
placement
of other plantation houses in Curaçao. First, it was built on
the
top of a hill in order to catch the last possible breath of a
breeze; second,
it is in view of at least two other "Landhuizen". Such a view was
essential
for security, as it permitted the owners to send or receive word of
impending
threats.
Of particular interest to those
involved
in shipping, as Mongui was, the semaphore on Fort Nassau could be read
from the front porch of "Rooi Catootje". In this manner, one would
immediately
know about the movements of the ships to and from the harbor.
Rooi Catootje's place in local
history
was guaranteed in 1954 when all conferences between the Netherlands and
the Dutch Caribbean Colonies were held there. These Round Table
Conferences
were to lead to the "Statuut" which established a new constitutional
relationship
involving autonomy for the islands.
ClickVirtual
Tourto visit the interior of our treasure.
by
many who do not realize that the house and its collection represent a
unique
historical monument, not only for Curaçao, but also for the
Netherlands
Antilles. 
Rooi
Catootje can be considered an outstanding example of the typical
architecture
of the Curaçao plantation house. Its rectangular two-story
central
building is completely surrounded on the lower floor by closed
galleries
and on three sides by terraces. 
second,
it is in view of at least two other "Landhuizen". Such a view was
essential
for security, as it permitted the owners to send or receive word of
impending
threats. 