Even though it is deserted and dilapidated, the Caracas Bay quarantine building makes a solid impression. The walls, doors and windows are the silent witnesses of many untold stories. The building is a feast for the eyes and especially for the photographic eye. One Saturday morning at sunrise I saw and witnessed how for a short while this monumental building was given new life.

The complex is still very impressive and I easily spent three hours writing with light in that one building. I recorded every corner and each corner in itself is very special in nature. This imposing building is highly visible from both land and sea. It served as quarantine for sailors who had to be kept under observation. Around 1883 yellow fever was still going around and uncertain cases, before gaining entry to the island, had to prove that they were not endangering the health situation of the island population. This feared tropical viral disease caused lethal epidemics and made large areas uninhabitable.

Healthy crew members also had to disembark and sheltered in the secluded quarantine building where they had to stay under observation for five days.

Of the buildings that are part of the institution at Beekenberg Curacao only the warehouse and quarantine building remain. Not to be mixed up with Fort Beekenburg. On the rock plateau of that fort the long disappeared quarantine hospital was located.

This architectural particular building, characteristic for its period, has caught the interest of many. Yet it remains deserted and dilapidated. A true pity! In my opinion it is high time to give this beautiful building back its glory and to occupy it. I believe that if it is in use it can contribute to the many attractions of our island. Now that there are many interested parties it would be a good idea to have a group of independent civil engineers and architects study the destiny and restoration of this for Curacao extremely characteristic building. It has not been able to remain solid for so many decades for no reason. It is a majestic building that deserves better treatment. To just let go of the quarantine building would mean a great loss for Curacao and its history, and that would be unacceptable.

Gerrit Scheper