Christoffelpark

Christoffelpark is a national park, protected nature area and tourist attraction at the north-western end of the island of Curaçao surrounding Christoffelberg (Mt Christoffel).

Christoffelpark
Christoffel Mountain
Map showing the location of Christoffelpark
Map showing the location of Christoffelpark
LocationCuraçao
Nearest cityWillemstad
Coordinates12.3333°N 69.1167°W / 12.3333; -69.1167
Area10.4 km2 (4.0 sq mi)[1]
Established1978[1]
Governing bodyCARMABI[2]
Websitechristoffelpark.org

Notable for its flora, fauna, culture and history, the park includes three former plantations, Plantage Savonet, Plantage Zorgvlied and Plantage Zevenbergen,[3]: 14  a mine complex, Newton, and the island's highest point, Christoffelberg (1,239 feet (378 m)). The park covers 1,860 hectares[3]: 14  of which 1,040 hectares are nature reserve,[1] and has been part of Curaçao's national park system since 1978. It forms part of the North-east Curaçao parks and coast Important Bird Area.[4]

As of 2001 the park is run by the Carmabi Foundation (Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity Foundation) and can be explored by visitors by car, bike, horse or on foot.

History

Plantation Savonet in Christoffelpark is one of the earliest plantations to be founded on Curaçao.[5] As of 2011 the irrigation system is still reasonably intact. Attempts were made to cultivate aloe, indigofera, sorghum, corn, cotton, and beans. Cows, sheep, goats and poultry were also farmed on the plantation.

The plantation houses of Savonet and Zorgvlied (situated at the mountain side of the park) were built on the island in the eighteenth century. Of Zorgvlied only ruins remain. About 100 metres (330 ft) west of Zorgvlied ruins is the house of the 'bomba', the slave in charge of other slaves, and a 'slave-pole'.

Roads in the park were sealed in 2004.

Flora and fauna

Chistoffelpark has more biodiversity than elsewhere on the island. Flora present in the park includes three pillar cacti species (datu, kadushi, and kadushi di pushi), divi-divi trees and exotic flowers. Cacti in the park reach up to ten feet high, and several extremely rare orchids, such as the lady of the night and Humboldt's schomburgkia, can be found blooming on them. Plant species occurring only in Christoffelpark include Myrcia curassavica, endemic to Curaçao, and Maytenus versluysii, endemic to Curaçao and Bonaire.

Fauna notable in the park includes mammals like the white-tailed deer, the cottontail, and several species of bats, birds like the rare white-tailed hawk, an endemic subspecies of barn owl (Tyto alba bargei), hummingbirds like the common emerald and the crimson topaz, and the endemic yellow oriole. Reptiles and insects are also well represented.

Tourism

Christoffelpark is open to visitors Monday to Sunday from 6am to 3pm, with no admittance after 1.30 pm. Visitors are not allowed to start climbing Mount Cristoffel after 10am.[6]

There are eight hiking trails in the park, of which the Christoffel Mountain climb is the most challenging. Visitors are advised to attempt this climb early in the morning. There are four sealed roads through the park. Organised tours include a deer-spotting sunset tour, a pick-up safari, and the "Savonet history" tour.

The Savonet Museum is located in the plantation house near the entrance to Christoffelpark, and recounts the history of the Savonet plantation and its owners and slaves.[7]

References
  1. "Curacao". Protected Planet. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  2. "Nursery". Christoffelpark (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  3. Adolphe Oscar Debrot (2009). "Cultural ties to the land in an arid plantation setting in Curacao". Research Gate.
  4. "North-east Curaçao parks and coast". BirdLife Data Zone. BirdLife International. 2007. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  5. "Landhuis Savonet, Weg naar Westpunt z.n." Curaçao monuments (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  6. "Christoffelpark Curacao". Caribbean Research & Management of Biodiversity. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  7. "Savonet Museum". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
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