Sint Michiel

Sint Michiel (also Boca Samí) is a former fishing village in Willemstad lying at the south end of Bullenbaai bay on the west coast of Curaçao. It is located 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) to the northwest of the island's city centre.

Sint Michiel
Boca Samí
Kunuku House (slave house) in Sint Michiel
Kunuku House (slave house) in Sint Michiel
Sint Michiel is located in Curaçao
Sint Michiel
Sint Michiel
Location in Curaçao
Coordinates: 12°08′32″N 068°59′45″W
CountryNetherlands
Constituent CountryCuraçao
Area
[1]
 • Total17.94 km2 (6.93 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[2]
 • Total5,732
 • Density320/km2 (830/sq mi)

Overview

The St. Michiel Bay is locally known as "Boca Samí"[3] and is situated between the much smaller Blue Bay and Vaersenbaai. It is named after Saint Michael.[3] Vaersen Bay used to be the Curaçao Police recreational facility. It is now the beach club Kokomo Beach Curacao.[4]

The bay was once defended by two WIC forts. The ruins of the main fort are still visible. These forts provided protection from French pirates and the British Navy though they were occupied by both in the 18th and early 19th Century.[5]

The settlement started in 1701,[6] and used to be a quiet fishing village.[7] During World War II, about 400 American troops were stationed at Sint Michiel.[8] Tourism has resulted in the construction of hotels and holiday resorts in the neighbourhood.[9] Sint Michael is the largest neighbourhood of Willemstad by area, and has a low population density. There is a steady population increase due to new housing developments.[1] The per-capita income is above average, however there is a large income inequality in Sint Michiel.[10]

The neighbourhood is surrounded by nature areas around the hills. Blue Bay is a bay with a beach, with tourist attractions, luxury apartments,[9] the Blue Bay Sculpture Garden.[11] and the Jong Colombia football team.[12] A large salt pan near the bay is known for its population of flamingoes.[13]

Klein Sint Michiel
Interior of Klein Sint Michiel

Klein Sint Michiel was one of the major plantations of Curaçao, and used to produce salt.[14][15] The current plantation house was constructed in 1863, and has a rectangular core with a gallery.[16] The estate is privately owned and in near original condition,[15] and has been designated a monument.[16]

Archaeological artefacts have been discovered on the Sint Michielsberg on the former plantation grounds which are between 1,500 and 4,500 years old. The graves from the Archaic Period were undisturbed. The site is about one hectare in size, and the second largest archaeological site on Curaçao.[17] Fundashon Kas Popular, a housing association, has constructed a housing estate on the plantation grounds.[18]

Notable people
  • Blue Bay from the air
    Blue Bay from the air
  • Big mama sitting in the sculpture garden
    Big mama sitting in the sculpture garden
  • Church of Sint Michiel
    Church of Sint Michiel
  • Beach at Blue Bay
    Beach at Blue Bay

References
  1. Buurtprofiel Sint Michiel 2011, p. 14.
  2. "Census 2011". Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  3. Buurtprofiel Sint Michiel 2011, p. 8.
  4. "Vonnis Selikor vs Kokomo Beach". Knipselkrant Curacao (in Dutch). 22 January 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  5. "Castles.nl - Fort Sint Michiel".
  6. Buurtprofiel Sint Michiel 2011, p. 9.
  7. Buurtprofiel Sint Michiel 2011, p. 10.
  8. Buurtprofiel Sint Michiel 2011, p. 11.
  9. Buurtprofiel Sint Michiel 2011, p. 39.
  10. Buurtprofiel Sint Michiel 2011, p. 16.
  11. "Blue Bay sculpture garden". Curacao Art. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  12. "De Organisatie". Jong Colombia. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  13. "Sint Michielsbaai". Fun Curaçao (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  14. Benjamins, Herman Daniël; Snelleman, Johannes (1917). Encyclopaedie van Nederlandsch West-Indië. p. 255. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  15. "Landhuis Klein Sint Michiel in Curacao". At Home Curacao (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  16. "Landhuis Klein Sint Michiel, Weg naar Bullenbaai z.n., Willemstad". Curacao Monuments. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  17. "Sint Michielsberg, Klein Sint Michiel". Curacao Monuments. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  18. Buurtprofiel Sint Michiel 2011, p. 34.
  19. "S. Carmelia - Profiel - Voetbal International". Voetbal International (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 February 2022.

Bibliography
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