The Historic Inner City
Historische Binnenstad

Historische Binnenstad is the name of Paramaribo’s historic centre, which is located at the heart of the city and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2002 due to its outstanding architectural and cultural value. The area was developed by the Dutch in the 17th and 18th centuries and grew rapidly as a trade and administrative centre in the Dutch colony. The special feature of the historic centre is its urban plan, which combines European colonial structure with tropical adaptation. Thus, you can see wide streets, open squares and buildings oriented towards air circulation and shade. The district is also a meeting point between Dutch engineering and local building materials and techniques, which has created a city core that is both functional and aesthetically harmonious in the hot climate.

You can immediately see that the architecture of the historic centre is characterized by a unique fusion of European styles and local traditions. Many of the buildings are made of wood, especially the hardy greenheart wood, which is resistant to termites and moisture. The houses are often painted white with shutters and balconies, and many have steep roof structures and classic cornices reminiscent of Dutch townhouses. The streets are filled with churches, commercial buildings and homes, and the harmonious unity of the wooden architecture is one of the reasons why UNESCO has recognized the area as a rare cultural heritage. Areas such as the Waterkant, the city’s old river promenade, are particularly known for the beautiful rows of old houses overlooking the Suriname River.

Today, the historic center is both a vibrant urban space and a cultural heritage area. Many of the buildings have been restored, and there is a growing focus on preserving and communicating the area’s history. At the same time, it still functions as an active commercial and residential area, giving it an authentic and dynamic atmosphere. Visitors can stroll through the streets and experience everything from local markets and small shops to museums, restaurants and religious buildings such as synagogues and mosques. The combination of living culture and historical preservation makes Paramaribo’s city center a special place where past and present merge in a way rarely seen in other cities.

The historic district is located within the Sommelsdijkse Kreek, the Tourtonnelaan, the Klipstenenstraat, the Heiligenweg and the Suriname River. The neighborhood was laid out in a rectangular checkerboard pattern, and along the waterfront, a number of blocks were rotated 45 degrees to make them run parallel to the river. There are several attractions in the area such as Fort Zeelandia, Sint-Petrus-en-Pauluskathedraal and Palmentuin, and you should also take a walk at Onafhankelijkheidsplein, a square where many of Suriname’s most important political institutions are located.

Independence Square
Onafhankelijkheidsplein

Onafhankelijkheidsplein is one of the most central and symbolic places in Paramaribo. It is a square that has undergone several name changes, reflecting the country’s colonial past and its path to independence. During Dutch colonial rule, the square was known as Gouvernementsplein and later Oranjeplein, when it served as a place for official ceremonies and military parades, among other things. After Suriname gained independence from the Netherlands in 1975, the square was given its current name, Onafhankelijkheidsplein, as an expression of national pride and the new independence. Today, the square serves as an important gathering place for political events and national holidays.

One of the most impressive buildings at Onafhankelijkheidsplein is the Presidential Palace/Presidentieel Paleis, located on the north side of the square. The palace was originally built in 1730 as the residence of the Dutch colonial governor and has since been renovated and expanded several times. Today it serves as the official residence of the President of Suriname. The palace is a beautiful example of Dutch colonial architecture with its white wooden facades and elegant colonnades. Behind the palace stretches the Palmentuin. It is a large, public park filled with tall palm trees, where locals and tourists alike can relax. Originally reserved for the governor, the garden is now a peaceful green respite in the middle of the city.

On the eastern side of Onafhankelijkheidsplein is the building that houses De Nationale Assemblee, Suriname’s parliament. Previously, Buitensociëteit Het Park was located here. It was a prestigious club for the colonial elite, but today the site has taken on a new role as the center of democracy. In front of the parliament are several memorials, including a monument to Surinamese soldiers who fought and died during World War II. There is also a memorial tree planted in honor of the first workers who were brought to Suriname from India in the late 19th century. These monuments bear witness to the diverse and often complex history that has shaped the modern nation.

On the western side of the square is the distinctive red Ministry of Finance/Ministerie van Financiën, built in 1836 and one of the oldest administrative buildings in Paramaribo. Its clock tower is inspired by the town hall in the Dutch city of Groningen and adds a distinctly European style to the surroundings. In front of the ministry stands a statue of Johan Adolf Pengel, one of Suriname’s most important politicians and the country’s first prime minister of Creole origin. He played an important role in the transition period leading up to independence and is still remembered with great respect. Also nearby is a house that once belonged to Susanna du Plessis from the 18th century. It bears the name Huis Du Plessis, and today the building houses various offices.

Fort Zeelandia

Fort Zeelandia is one of Paramaribo’s oldest and most significant historical buildings. It is a military facility that was built in 1667 by the Dutch shortly after they took over the area from the English. The fort was built as a military fortification on the banks of the Suriname River, and it played an important role in the city’s colonial defense system. In its heyday, the fort served as the center of administration and control over the plantation economy. Fort Zeelandia later became the center of some very different chapters in the country’s recent history, such as the infamous December Murders in 1982, where 15 political opponents were executed.

Today, Fort Zeelandia serves as a museum and cultural center, where visitors can gain insight into Suriname’s multifaceted history. The building’s architecture is characterized by Dutch colonial style with massive brick walls and sharply defined corner towers. Inside you will find the Surinaams Museum, which houses a wide collection of historical objects, photographs, and exhibitions that document life and culture among both indigenous peoples, Europeans, and the many ethnic groups that have settled in the country over time. Guests have the opportunity to experience guided tours, exhibitions about the colonial era, slavery, and political development. There are also reconstructions of various historical furnishings and the original prison cells. The fort stands today as both an aesthetic and historical landmark in the middle of Paramaribo, and it is a must-see on a trip to Paramaribo.

Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral
Sint-Petrus-en-Pauluskathedraal

Sint-Petrus-en-Pauluskathedraal is one of Paramaribo’s most notable attractions. It is known as the largest wooden church in all of South America and one of the largest of its kind in the world. The cathedral was inaugurated in 1885 and built in a combination of Romanesque and neo-Gothic styles. The special thing about the building is that it is constructed almost entirely of wood. It was built mainly from the locally occurring greenheart and cedar wood species, which gives it both a warm and majestic appearance. It was designed by the Dutch architect Frans Harmes and erected on the site where a theater had previously stood. The construction took several years and was largely carried out by local craftsmen and Creole artists.

The interior of the cathedral is richly decorated with detailed wood carvings, stained glass windows and a special pulpit designed in the Baroque style. In one of the side chapels are the relics of the missionary Peerke Donders, who was an important religious figure in the history of Suriname. He worked among the country’s poorest and among people with leprosy, and he was beatified by the Catholic Church in 1982. After years of decay, the cathedral underwent extensive restoration, completed in 2010, and was elevated to the rank of basilica by Pope Francis in 2014. Today, the building serves as an active religious center, but it is also open to visitors who wish to experience its unique atmosphere and craftsmanship.

Palm Garden
Palmentuin

Palmentuin or Palm Garden is a green and peaceful area in the heart of Paramaribo. The garden was established in 1685 by Dutch governor Cornelis van Aerssen van Sommelsdijck as a private park for the governor’s residence, which today serves as the presidential palace of Suriname. After the governor’s violent death in 1688, the garden was closed to the public for a long time, but it has since reopened and is today a popular excursion destination for locals and tourists alike. In 2002, Palmentuin was recognized as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in connection with the inclusion of the historic center of Paramaribo.

The garden is known for its tall royal palms that sway over paths and small grassy areas. Palmentuin is also home to a rich wildlife, including tropical birds and free-living capuchin monkeys. Among the trees are also busts and statues of national heroes and cultural figures such as Henck Arron, Suriname’s first prime minister, and the poet Trefossa, who wrote the lyrics to the country’s national anthem. The park is often used for cultural events, concerts and local markets, and is a popular place to seek shade and peace in the tropical heat. Palmentuin beautifully connects Paramaribo’s colonial past with today’s vibrant city life.