Historical buildings

Unfortunately, due to the expansion drive of recent decades on Bonaire, many historical buildings have been neglected or demolished. The construction of numerous hotels and other facilities for tourists has resulted in the loss of some of the island's historical heritage. However, not everything has been lost to time.

The oldest building on Bonaire, Fort Oranje (Orange), dating back to 1639, still stands proudly. Additionally there are still other monumental and colonial buildings to explore and visit. Fortunately Bonaire is now implementing an increasingly effective heritage policy to restore and preserve the beautiful structures built in the West Indian architectural style for future generations.

Fort Oranje is the oldest building on Bonaire.

	Since	address
Fort Oranje	1639	Kaya Charles E.B. Hellmund, Kralendijk
Mangazina di Rei	1824	Kaya Rincon z/n, Rincon
Gezaghebbershuis (Governor's House)	1837	Kaya Charles E.B. Hellmund, Kralendijk
Sint Fransiscus Monastery	1856	Kralendijk
Customs Office Slagbaai	1868	Washington Slagbaai National Park
Slaughterhouse Slagbaai	1868	Washington Slagbaai National Park
Overseer's House Slagbaai	1868	Washington Slagbaai National Park
Salt Warehouse Slagbaai	1868	Washington Slagbaai National Park
Pasangrahan	1890	Plaza Willhelmina, Kralendijk
Old Hospital	1922	Kralendijk
Customs Office Kralendijk	1925	Plaza Willhelmina 3, Kalendijk
Plasa Machi Mimi	1935	Kaya J.N.E. Craane, Kralendijk
Post Office	1974	Plaza Wilhelmina 11, Kralendijk
Chapel at the Old Hospital	1974	Kralendijk

Fort Oranje (Orange)

Fort Oranje is the first stone structure built on Bonaire, dating back to 1639. It was named after the Dutch royal family, making it one of ten forts worldwide to bear the name of the House of Orange. For instance, the fort on Sint Eustatius also carries this name.

The fort is surrounded by 4-meter-high walls and equipped with four cannons. These weapons were installed by the Dutch on a platform behind the fort walls to better prepare the stronghold against enemy powers. However, no gunpowder was ever fired from Fort Oranje; the cannons remained silent. They also stayed silent when the English occupied Bonaire from 1804 to 1816. During the English period, the cannons were replaced with new ones, and the old cannons were repurposed as mooring posts. Even the new cannons—still adorning the fort today—were never used, except for ceremonial salutes.

Fort Oranje is equipped with a total of four impressive cannons.

In 1886, the fort was equipped with a wooden lighthouse, which was replaced in 1932 by the current ten-meter-high stone lighthouse. Until 1837, Fort Oranje served as the residence of the commander. Over time, the fort has had various uses, including as a storage facility for goods, a prison, a police station, a fire station, and a museum. Today, Fort Oranje houses the offices of the harbor and sanitation services.

Mangazina di Rei

The Mangazina di Rei in Rincon (the King's Storehouse) is the second oldest stone building on Bonaire and is located near Rincon. From this storehouse, government slaves were provided with food every Wednesday, known as dia di rantsun. Additionally, it served as a storage facility for the tools needed for work on the plantations and in the salt pans. The Mangazina di Rei was constructed between 1816 and 1824. In 1971, the building underwent extensive restoration.

Museum Mangazina di Rei

The Museum Mangazina di Rei is housed in the historic Mangazina di Rei building. Here, visitors can learn about the history of slavery and rural life on Bonaire. The museum showcases traditional furniture, tools, household items, workwear, and festive attire.

Outside the building, at the foot of the hill, you’ll find an open-air museum featuring replicas of Bonaire’s historical houses. Additionally, there is a botanical garden on the premises. The site also hosts exhibitions, music workshops, and cooking classes.

The Mangazina di Rei also serves as a training center where students gain hands-on experience in daily operations, such as giving guided tours and managing catering services. This practical experience helps them transition more easily into the local job market. Staff members, including guides and volunteers, wear traditional Bonairian clothing, adding an authentic touch to the experience.

Pasangrahan

The Pasangrahan was built in 1890 by order of Cornelis Raven "Bubuchi" Debrot, who used it as his residence. The ochre-yellow square building is enclosed by a sturdy fence. The yellow color was chosen to honor the House of Orange.

The Pasangrahan.

The Pasangrahan is an Indonesian word meaning "guesthouse." The name originates from the time when the Dutch East India Company (VOC) maintained lucrative trade between Europe and Asia, leading the Dutch to adopt many Indonesian words. After the death of Cornelis Raven "Bubuchi" Debrot in 1921, the building became government property and served for many years as a pasangrahan, the official guesthouse of the government. Over time, it underwent several functional changes and is now used as a meeting space for the island council. The building was extensively restored in 1980.

Governor’s House

The majestic, two-story Governor’s House was built in 1837. For its time, it was a grand building, featuring an elegant staircase, a spacious balcony, a saddle roof covered with red tiles, and three dormer windows on each side. The first floor of this impressive structure originally served as the governor’s residence. The ground floor housed storage rooms, which were used as warehouses.

The Governor’s House.

In 1959, the building was closed due to its severely deteriorated condition. After extensive restoration the Governor’s House was reopened in 1973 and now serves as the headquarters of the island's administration.

Plasa Machi Mimi

The Plasa Machi Mimi (small fish market building, fish market, or market pavilion) is a Roman-style structure built in 1935, located along the waterfront promenade in Kralendijk. The building features several benches where visitors can sit in the shade and enjoy the stunning view of the crystal-clear sea. Often, a cruise ship is anchored directly opposite Plasa Machi Mimi.

In the past, the picturesque market building was used for trading fish, and until a few years ago, Venezuelan merchants sold their goods there. Fresh vegetables and fruit were available, although fish had not been sold at Plasa Machi Mimi for quite some time. At the end of the trading day, the Venezuelans would return to Venezuela in their wooden boats—a journey that is far from short. Venezuela is about 90 kilometers away, and depending on the weather, the voyage takes approximately 12 hours.

Plasa Machi Mimi.

Sint Fransiscus Klooster (Saint Francis Monastery)

In 1856, the Sisters of Roosendaal founded a school and the Sint Fransiscus Klooster (Saint Francis Monastery) on Bonaire. Around thirty Bonairian girls joined and became Catholic sisters. Eventually, the Dutch sisters returned to the Netherlands, leaving the Bonairian sisters to form their own community on the coral island. Behind the Sint Fransiscus Klooster, there is a charming little chapel and a building for elderly residents.

Customs Office Kralendijk

The Customs Office on the boulevard of Kralendijk dates back to 1925. Over the years, the building has served various purposes, including as a tax office, customs office, and post office. In 1995, it underwent extensive restoration and now functions once again as a customs office. Captains of cruise ships, sailing boats, and other vessels docking in Kralendijk are required to report here.

The Customs Office Kralendijk.

Customs Office Slagbaai

In what is now the Washington Slagbaai National Park, the bay known as Boca Slagbaai was once a bustling hub of activity. This site was home to Bonaire's first port, complete with four impressive historic buildings, all of which were extensively restored in 2003.

The name 'Slagbaai' is derived from the Dutch word 'Slachtbaai' (Slaughter Bay), as this location was historically used for slaughtering and salting goats before shipping them to Curaçao. In some prosperous years, over 3,000 goats were shipped to Curaçao, along with a large number of animal hides. The Customs Office Slagbaai is one of the four buildings at Boca Slagbaai, characterized by its ochre-yellow color and red roof tiles.

Bonaire does not have campgrounds or designated camping areas, and wild camping is not permitted. However, it is possible to stay overnight in the historic buildings at Boca Slagbaai. Facilities include toilets and picnic tables, but campers must bring all their own equipment. Once the day visitors leave the park, you’ll have the area to yourself, surrounded by nature and silence—a truly unique experience. For reservations for this exceptional adventure, contact STINAPA Bonaire, the park’s managing authority.

Boca Slagbaai consists of four historic buildings.

Slaughterhouse Slagbaai

The goats were not slaughtered in the open air but in a dedicated slaughterhouse. The Slaughterhouse Slagbaai is one of the four buildings at Boca Slagbaai. It is an ochre-yellow structure with red roof tiles.

Overseer's House Slagbaai

The overseer of the activities had a private residence. The Overseer's House Slagbaai is one of the four buildings at Boca Slagbaai. Like the others, it is an ochre-yellow building with red roof tiles.

Salt Warehouse Slagbaai

In addition to trading slaughtered goats, salt was another significant commodity on Bonaire. The salt was temporarily stored in the salt warehouse near the old harbor. The Salt Warehouse (Mangasina) Slagbaai is one of the four buildings at Boca Slagbaai. It is also ochre-yellow with red roof tiles.

Post Office

Bonaire's first post office dates back to 1890. The current building has been in use since 1974 and was recently restored.

The post office is located on the edge of the center of Kralendijk.

Old Hospital

The old hospital in Kralendijk was built in 1922 and underwent extensive restoration in 1944. It served as the island's hospital until 1977, the year the current hospital, San Francisco Hospital, was opened. Adjacent to the old hospital stands a charming chapel where visitors of various religions were welcomed.

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Also read:

• The historic slave huts of Bonaire can be found in the southern part of the island!
• The most beautiful hotels with the best reviews on Bonaire!

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