Description
In 1855, the Catholic Church purchased this mansion to establish the island’s first civilian hospital. After a thorough renovation, the construction of annexes, and, most importantly, the arrival of three nuns from the Netherlands, the hospital opened on December 3 of the same year. However, within three years, the hospital proved too small, leading to its relocation and the sale of the property.
In the 20th century, the Freemason Lodge “Igualdad” was the owner of the mansion for around 70 years. They rented it out to several well-known Curaçaoan families, including the musically talented Boskaljon family and Jorge B. Suarez, who founded the newspaper “La Prensa” in 1929.
The house dates back to the first half of the 19th century and has undergone several substantial renovations. The monumental entrance gate on IJzerstraat is still in place.
Name of property:
None
Characteristics:
Detached two-story structure located in the yard. Main building of corral including structures IJzerstraat 60-62 and 70-74. Hipped roof with finials over a core area and lean-to roofs over one-story side galleries. Paneled doors with shutters and shutter windows. High corral separation walls along the north, east, and south sides of the corral. Entrance gate between IJzerstraat 60-62 and 70-74.
Monument value:
Architectural historical and esthetical value because of such elements as a.o. the paneled doors, the shutter windows, and the monumental entrance gate. Architectural historical and cultural-historical value because of the floor plan with galleries typical of Curaçao. Specific value as part of a protected monumental townscape.
Construction period:
Not listed in the Register of Monuments
REGISTER OF LISTED HERITAGE
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