Museum Kurá Hulanda: Discover Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and African Artifacts

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
(87 Ratings)
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Keia_b
Aug 9, 2024
Very Nice. - Very nice museum. I really enjoyed learning a bit on the history of Curacao which is a lovely island.
Review provided by Viator
Mary_s
Aug 7, 2024
Plan ahead so you aren't rushed - Plan for at least 3 hours to truly experience this museum. We were rushed (our own fault) and still felt how powerful the message is: we must learn from history so we do not repeat it. Check the opening hours/days and plan accordingly.
Review provided by Viator
Kimd127125
Jun 29, 2024
Unforgettable Experience - This was an amazing and heart wrenching experience. As an African American we know and learn about slavery in the US but this museum literally brings the atrocities to life. The replica of the bottom of the slave ship made me slightly nauseaus and truly disturbed my teenage son but I am glad we brought him to experience it. Our guide was passionate and knowledgeable and we enjoyed the interaction. I think this is a must when visiting Curacao and I am glad we went.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marcus_t
Jun 24, 2024
Sentimental Moments in Time - This was an amazing experience delivered by a knowledgeable guide. I would certainly do it over again, so that I am sure to soak in this pivotal moment in time, internalizing its significance on today’s people.
Review provided by Viator
Sightseer747266
Jun 16, 2024
Museum - If traveling to Curacao, this should definitely be one of the places to Visit... Great history to know about Curacao...
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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
Layla_h
Jun 19, 2024
Must See Activity in Curacao, but Keep Expectations Reasonable - This museum lays out an important part of history. I wish it was a bit better maintained and was consistent in the language/translations throughout the museum. There is a lot of reading involved in trying to get a proper understanding. I would suggest making it more interactive.
Review provided by Viator
Chestera
Jun 5, 2024
PISTORESQUE... BUT EXPENSIVE - Even though you don't enter the museum, you can enter the small streets around it, they are very clean and beautiful to take photos, it is expensive because it has restaurants and shops for VIP tourists.
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
September 2024
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