What are some of Suriname's historical sites?

Answer 1

A number of Suriname's landmarks are in Paramaribo, Suriname's capital.

One, The historic inner city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2002. The original, characteristic Dutch colonial street plans are well preserved, along with its distinctive blend of Dutch architecture with traditional local techniques and materials.

Two, the Ahmadiyya Anjuman Mosque was completed in 1932. The current mosque was completed in 1984. The mosque is next to the Neveh Shalom Synagogue.

Three, Fort Zeelandia was built and reinforced by the English under the name of Fort Willoughby in 1651. The French had built a fort around a Dutch trading post in that location in 1640. The name was changed to Fort Zeelandia in 1667 when the Dutch gained control of the area.

Fort Zeelandia is a pentagon with a bastion at each of its five corners. The fort later was turned into a barracks and then a prison. In 1967 it was turned into the Suriname Museum. By 1982 it had reverted to being a prison. On December 18, 1982 its courtyard was the scene of the 'December murders', with the executions of 15 military opponents of the military regime of Desiré Delano Bouterse [b. October 13, 1945].

In 1995 the fort became the home of the Stichting Surinaams Museum.

Four, Neveh Shalom Synagogue originally was completed in 1723. The current building was completed 1842-1843.

Five, St. Peter and Paul Cathedral [Sint Petrus en Paulus Kathedraal] was built from 1883 to 1885. There are 18 confession rooms. The cathedral can accommodate up to 340 people. It claims to be the largest wooden building in the Western Hemisphere. Its dimensions are 161 feet [51 meters] long, 48 feet [17 meters] high in the main hall, and 54 feet [18 meters] wide. Its height measures 162 feet [53 meters] to the top of the church spires. That figure doesn't include the brass crosses atop the spires.