The Arsenal

The Arsenal in Willemstad was built in 1793 to replace a dilapidated predecessor. Commissioned by the House of Orange, architect Philip Willem Schonck designed the rectangular brick building with a wooden cornice. Its location near the harbor made it easy to transport weapons and ammunition by water. Until 1926, the Arsenal served as the fortress's weapons and ammunition depot. After that, it was still used for military storage. Around 1960, the building came into private hands and was restored in 1973. Since then, it has served a cultural and social function, but it is not open to the public. Next to the Arsenal is the guardhouse from 1750, near the now-vanished Water Gate. This building with five arches and a gallery provided shelter for guards and contains facade stones that commemorate historic high water levels. The Arsenal is not open to the public. Arsenal, Benedenkade 6, Willemstad.

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The Affuit Pilot

The affuit shed is part of the fortress. It was built in 1867 as a storage place for guns (bases of heavy artillery equipment). Later, the shed also housed military personnel.This national monument is located at Hofstraat 1 in Willemstad.

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Fort De Hel (outside Willemstad)

Fort Anna was built here in 1748, designed by Captain Engineer Michiel Mattheus van Oosterzee and named after Anna of Hanover. In 1793, it was renamed Carolina, but by then it had fallen into disrepair. In 1811, the French built Fort l'Enfer, later renamed to its current name. The square fort contained a French tour modèle that could accommodate 14 men and 9,500 kilograms of gunpowder; one of only three in the Netherlands. Between 1882 and 1884, it was modernized and could accommodate 118 soldiers. During World War II, it was fought over and occupied. In 1961, its military use ended; since 1988, it has been a national monument. Fort de Hel, Helsedijk 85, Willemstad.

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Fort Sabina (outside Willemstad)

Fort Sabina, with the forts Prince Frederik in Ooltgensplaat, Buitensluis in Numansdorp and the Bovensluis and De Hel in Willemstad, belonged to the Stelling van het Hollandsch Diep and Volkerak, with Willemstad as the central fortress. Fort Sabina is part of the Zuider Waterlinie and this 12-acre and atmospheric fort is located at the intersection of North Brabant, South Holland and Zeeland. Special features of this fort are the Tour Modèle from the time of Napoleon, the underground accessible corridors and the large barracks. During opening hours you are welcome to come and see this unique location. There is a cozy lunchroom in the vaults of the barracks and an attractive terrace on the terre in front of the Napoleonic tower. Fort Sabina, Fortweg 1, Heijningen

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The Kruithuis

The Kruithuis is-as its name suggests-a gunpowder magazine. It was built in 1811 by order of Emperor Napoleon when he visited the fortified town of Willemstad. The side walls of the Kruithuis are a whopping 2.85 meters and equipped with an ingenious ventilation system. In the cellars of the Kruithuis, rainwater was collected and stored for the garrison. Because of the danger of explosion, the gunpowder magazine was built on the outskirts of Willemstad on bastion Utrecht, whose rampart was also raised for protection. In World War II, the Kruithuis was still used by the inhabitants of Willemstad as a shelter during the artillery shelling of Willemstad by the British. The Kruithuis located on the bastion Utrecht is a national monument.

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The Dome Church

The Koepelkerk, built in 1607, was the first church in the Netherlands to be built specifically for Protestant worship and served as a model for later Protestant churches. With financial support from Prince Maurits, who contributed 7,000 guilders, the church was given a round, central design with the pulpit in the center instead of the altar. The church suffered severe damage during the French siege in 1793 and in the Second World War. In 1950, a fire destroyed almost the entire building, leaving only the walls standing. Willemstad rebuilt the church, followed by a thorough restoration in 1996. The stained-glass windows depict historical weapons. The church is open to visitors, including tower climbing and guided tours.

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The Mauritshuis

The Princehof, built in 1623 on the orders of Prince Maurits, served as a hunting lodge and country residence. Under the direction of master builder Willem Arentssen van Salen, a building in Dutch Renaissance style with two identical stepped gables was erected. After Maurits' death in 1626, it became the official residence of the military governor and was known as the Gouvernement. Later, it served a variety of functions, such as a warehouse, military hospital, national pigeon station, and military police barracks. In 1972-1973, it was thoroughly restored and rebuilt, after which the Mauritshuis served as Willemstad's city hall until 1996.

In front of the building is a mosaic depicting the city's coat of arms. The surrounding area features historic outbuildings and monuments commemorating sieges and war victims.

Functions of the ge

D'Orangemolen

D'Orangemolen can be found at Benedenkade 1 in Willemstad. It is a particularly large round mill that can be seen from miles away. This stone corn mill (upper mill) built in 1734 by order of the Nassause Domeinraad for 8,000 florins. This mill also used to belong to the Princes of Orange. Prince Maurice leased the mill to the miller who offered the most. People called this mill the compulsory mill, because all Willemstad farmers were obliged to have their grain ground at d'Orangemolen. The mill is privately owned and used as a residence. The mill was restored in 1999, which included reinstalling the sails. In 2004, the mill turned again for the first time in 40 years.

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The Council House

The town hall of Willemstad dates back to 1587 and was partly financed by Prince Maurits, who stipulated that the building should also serve as a church, since the Koepelkerk did not yet exist. Until 1973, it served as the town hall; in 1999, it was sold to a private individual. The building had multiple functions: in addition to being a town hall and church, it was also a courthouse. The attic housed a grain supply for sieges, the basement served as a meat hall and weigh house, and there was a prison under the tower. Prince Maurits used the small room in the tower for his papers. The open facade with star vault served as a pulpit for official announcements. Above the entrance are three coats of arms: Van Glymes, Prince Maurice, and Willemstad.

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The Guardhouse

The current guardhouse at the Land Gate was built in 1953, after the original guardhouse was so badly damaged during WWII that it was demolished in 1951. The original guardhouse at the Land Gate dates from 1760 and had a one-story, two-arch guardhouse corridor. The building housed the engineer office. The current guardhouse was rebuilt in the same style and used as a fire station. Currently, this building still serves as a Fire Station. Landpoortstraat 47, Willemstad.

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