Landhuis Karpata, Colonial mansion in Rincon, Netherlands
Landhuis Karpata is a mustard-colored mansion built with traditional materials and features a hand-laid coral floor and a rounded outdoor oven. The structure stands on the grounds of a former plantation where visitors can see how aloe was historically processed and harvested.
The mansion was built around 1870 and replaced a small fort that once guarded the sea route between Kralendijk and Slagbaai from attacks. This shift from military to civilian use marked the island's move toward agricultural development.
Locals call this property Kas Grandi, meaning big house, and it reflects how people lived and built during the plantation era in Bonaire. The way rooms are arranged and the outdoor spaces still show the social divisions and daily routines of that time.
The grounds are open to visitors who want to walk through the plantation and see the traditional production methods up close. Comfortable shoes and plenty of water are recommended, especially during the warmer hours of the day.
The property is lined with abundant karpata plants, which gave the plantation its name and still grow freely along the access roads. These shrubs shape the landscape and create a living link to the land's past.
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