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Another noteworthy aspect of the island is that it is home to the oldest continuously inhabited Jewish community in the Western Hemisphere. The first Jewish settler arrived in 1634, and Dutch tolerance allowed the Sephardic Jewish community to flourish. By the 19th century, Curacao had the largest and most influential Jewish population in the Americas. The Mikve-Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, which celebrated its 350th anniversary in 2001, is the Western Hemisphere’s oldest synagogue in continuous use, and renowned for its sand floors and the oldest pipe organ in the Caribbean.

Project Kura Hulanda, spanning an eight-block historic district along the waterfront on the Otrabanda side, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The brainchild of Dutch entrepreneur and visionary Jacob Gelt Dekker, and his business partner John Padget, this environmental and historical preservation project is comprised of a collection of 18th and 19th century Dutch colonial buildings which includes a boutique hotel, a museum, a conference center and an institute for advanced cultural studies. To facilitate economic empowerment in developing countries through cottage industries, the project employs craftsmen from Africa, India, Indonesia and Colombia to supply furniture, iron gates and other furnishings.

Nestled amongst gardens, cobblestone paths, and open courtyards filled with sculptures and native art, the Hotel Kura Hulanda features 100-individually-distinct rooms in 65 restored, pastel-hued buildings. Next door, the Museum Kura Hulanda is a world-class anthropological museum featuring a Darwinian chronicle of the Origin of Man, displays on West African empires, Antillean art, as well as fascinating exhibits on the history and legacy of the African slave trade leading to 20th century race relations in America.

It’s clear that in addition to the natural appeals of sun, sand and scuba which many Caribbean islands are celebrated for, Curacao also offers an enthralling mix of history, cultures and architecture. A fitting and complementary end to a discovery cruise renowned for enriching the mind.  

For more information and reservations:
1-877-800-7926 or www.swanhellenic.com
reservations@swanhellenic.com

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