WILLEMSTAD – The historic Scharloo district will receive funding from the Dutch national Heritage Deal program to restore the old Swaen Town Hall and surrounding buildings. The project, titled “Swaen Curaçao,” is one of eight new initiatives approved in the final round of the program, which links heritage preservation with area development.

The Heritage Deal program, which will conclude at the end of this year, has for the first time included a project on Curaçao. Scharloo, part of Willemstad’s UNESCO World Heritage site, was selected as one of the last beneficiaries.

“The essence of success lies in collaboration between different parties,” said Mirjam Wulfse, chair of the Heritage Deal. “Governments, heritage organizations, residents, and community groups each bring their own expertise to the table.”

Improving Living Conditions in Scharloo

The project aims not only to restore the monumental Swaen Town Hall and adjacent historic buildings but also to improve the living environment for local residents. In addition to physical restoration, the initiative will focus on preserving and celebrating local traditions, crafts, and community stories.

The vision is to create a vibrant social hub where heritage and community spirit come together, strengthening both the cultural identity and quality of life in the district.

The project will be coordinated by the Monument Fund Foundation of Curaçao (Stichting Monumentenfonds Curaçao), which has long been active in preserving and revitalizing the island’s historic architecture.

With this support, Scharloo stands to gain not only a facelift for its landmark buildings but also a renewed role as a center of culture, history, and community pride.