Museum Kurá Hulanda: Discover Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and African Artifacts
4.6
81 Ratings
Willemstad
Explore the Museum Kurá Hulanda and delve into the history of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. Discover African artifacts showcasing the vibrant cultures and powerful empires of West Africa.
Duration: 1 day
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Kura Hulanda Museum - Initiated and developed by Jacob Gelt Dekker, the Museum Kurá Hulanda opened its door in April 1999. Museum Kurá Hulanda is situated right at the city-center harbor of Willemstad, where Dutch entrepreneurs once traded and transshipped enslaved Africans along with other “commercial goods.” This museum impressively exhibits the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade in its totality, from slave capture in Africa through the Middle Passage and relocation in the New World.

Museum Kurá Hulanda further exhibits a vast collection of artifacts from continental Africa, showing the dynamic vitality and great Empires of West Africa, which in the largest collection of African artifacts in the Caribbean. The museum has recently expanded its emphasis to include other non-Western Cultures of the world, and now hosts spectacular exhibitions of the fertile Crest Region in the Middle East, Pre-Columbian Gold of Colombia, Maroon cultures of Suriname, Africans in Brazil, Santeria/Voodoo, and much more.

Museum Kurá Hulanda demonstrates that our African and diverse cultural heritage has influenced Curaçaoan and Caribbean societies until today..

What's Included
  • Receptionist
  • Museum map
What's Not Included
  • Transportation to/from attractions
  • Souvenirs from museum shop available for purchase
  • Guided tours available in Dutch and English for 3US$ per person.
Additional Information

The Kurá Hulanda Museum resides at the heart of Willemstad’s city-center harbor, where formerly Dutch businessmen traded and moved enslaved Africans as one of the many ‘goods’ in their business pursuits.

The museum provides a comprehensive depiction of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, covering every stage from the capturing of slaves in Africa, through their brutal journey in the Middle Passage, to their enforced resettlement in the New World.

Further, the Kurá Hulanda Museum showcases an extensive assortment of artifacts from mainland Africa, reflecting the vibrant energy and the impressive empires of West Africa. This collection marks the most abundant assembly of African artifacts within the Caribbean.

Location
Kura Hulanda Museum
Klipstraat 9,
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(81 Ratings)
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Drinda_b
May 27, 2024
Hidden Gem - Please do invest $3 for a tour guide. The tour guide was SO knowledgeable and took time to answer our questions as she guided us through the different sections of the museum. The quality and selection of the artifacts rival any top museum in a metropolitan area.
Review provided by Viator
Line_b
May 19, 2024
Worth the time spent - For anyone wanting to learn about this part of the history of the island, I would recommend this tour. Doing the tour with a guide added immensely to the experience. We are glad we took the time to visit this museum.
Review provided by Viator
Mm4peace
Apr 26, 2024
Treasure trove of information - This museum was worth the visit. They have a great deal of historical information about the slave trade from beginning to end. Not recommended for sensitive souls because some of the details about treatment of the slavers are horrific. Learned about heros of the anti-slavery movement. Also like the fact that the museum contained information about the region and not just one country. We paid to have a guided tour which was well worth it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dianamariajimenaa
Apr 14, 2024
Recognize the history - Incredible the entire journey. No guide was needed, the visit is very intuitive. Everything that has been achieved on the island thanks to the encounter of cultures and their way of organization is very interesting.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patrice_a
Apr 3, 2024
Must see - Take advantage of the guided tour. We used the tour guide for $3 pp and it was worth it. We had the chance to ask questions for clarity and hear the story behind most exhibits.
Review provided by Viator
Ina_h
Mar 26, 2024
Kura Hulanda Museum - We had a private tour. Our guide was super knowledgeable. The artifacts and stories were hard to believe. It was very unsettling to understand all the atrocities that took place.
Review provided by Viator
Joseph_j
Feb 9, 2024
A Great Museum - This is a great museum. It provides a very informative lesson on the history of slavery in Curacao. Get the guided tour, for a more thorough perspective.
Review provided by Viator
Swissoneone
Feb 7, 2024
I still have goosebumps. - Be prepared to be shocked, moved spiritually and if there is empathy you will realise this is one of the best museums with guides sharing history that you do not read in any books. After there is a beautiful area to relax and distill what you have just seen.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daytrip792015
Feb 10, 2024
Very interesting! - Educational, especially if you are interested in history or already know something about it and want to expand your knowledge. Shows once again how cruel people were/are.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nangwayaw
Jun 6, 2024
Revisionist History in the form of Mansa Musa a West African King painted on the Wall as a White Man. Absolute Insanity - Who in the World do these people think they are by painting Mansa Musa as a White Man before the Door of the Slave Muesem Exhibit ,Mansa Musa was a West African King and a Real Historical Figure .I upload a photo of this revisionist history obviously painted by a very racist person trying to steal the identity of one of the greatest black African kings by painting him white along side a Slave museum exhibit. I think as a slap in the face to all black people around the world. You will be exposed for this revisionist history!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
July 2024
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