Onafhankelijkheidsplein 3, Paramaribo, Neoclassical building on Independence Square in Paramaribo, Suriname.
The Ministry of Finance at Onafhankelijkheidsplein is a neoclassical building with red brick walls, large white columns, and a central tower rising above the main entrance. The facade displays characteristic features of 19th century Dutch colonial architecture.
The building was completed between 1836 and 1841 by architect Johan August Voigt and initially served as Paramaribo's town hall. It later became the headquarters of the finance ministry.
The building forms part of the Historic Inner City of Paramaribo and demonstrates how Dutch colonial style merged with local construction methods. This blend still shapes the appearance of the square and surrounding buildings today.
The building stands at Onafhankelijkheidsplein in central Paramaribo and remains closed to the public during regular business hours as an active government facility. Visitors can appreciate its exterior appearance from the square and take photographs from outside.
The tower was added to the original design at the request of a governor's wife, altering the architect's initial plans. This personal request reveals the influence that high-ranking officials' families held over the city's development.
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