Dutch Princess Margriet Inaugurates the Spectacular Aruba National Archeological Museum and Arikok National Park

The Aruba Tourism Authority is proud to announce the opening of the spectacular Archeological Museum and the renovated Arikok National Park last Sunday, July 26.

The Aruba Tourism Authority is proud to announce the opening of the spectacular Archeological Museum and the renovated Arikok National Park last Sunday.

The Aruba National Archeological Museum (MANA), was inaugurated in their new building in downtown Oranjestad by Princess Margriet and her husband, Prof. Pieter van Vollenhoven. This took place during a well-prepared event on the plaza in front of the museum. The evening continued with a tour of the museum and a program filled with different performances by local and international actors and artists.

The museum complex offers an authentic glimpse into 5000 years of regional history with entertaining and interactive displays; a project that took more than ten years to be realized. Visitors are initially welcomed into the historic Ecury Complex of restored classic colonial type buildings and a modern state-of-the-art section to house ancient artifacts. The complex also includes a research center for serious study and a cafeteria. The first temporary exhibition, titled “Rancho” features Aruba’s traditional fisherman’s quarters on the western skirts of Oranjestad, where the museum is located. For more information regarding their daily programs, please contact them at 297-5828979 or email: archeo@setarnet.aw

The Arikok National Park of Aruba unveiled the results of its three-year makeover by welcoming Princess Margriet and her husband, Prof. Mr. Pieter van Vollenhoven to inaugurate the attractive visitor’s center constructed at the park entrance. The center contains a well-stocked souvenir shop and is now officially open to the public. The new facilities include headquarters for the nearly 40 rangers who patrol the park, as well as modernized roads and paths for visitors, which cost 7.1 million Euros to complete. The national park occupies 18% of Aruba’s land mass and is home to countless indigenous flora and fauna characteristic of Aruba’s unique tropical dessert climate; as well as families of wilds goats and donkeys. These species were brought to the island centuries ago by settlers. It was officially established in 1997 and contains Aruba’s famous caves, Fontein and Quadarikiri. Additionally located within the park are Aruba’s two highest points, Jamanota (617 ft.) and Arikok (577 ft.). For additional information about the park, please email them at: info@arubanationalpark.org or call them at 00297-585-1234.

Pictures are courtesy of Mr. Byron Boekhoudt of the Ministry of Culture & Sports.