Oranjestad is the historical Dutch capital city where the tall multicolored houses of Wilheminastr

Oranjestad  (Dutch, literally Orangetown ) is the capital and largest city of  Aruba , which is in the Caribbean north of Venezuela. Oranjestad is located on the southern coast near the western end of the island country. In the local language, Papiamento, Oranjestad is often referred to simply as Playa .
Oranjestad is the historical Dutch capital city where the tall  multicolored houses  of Wilheminastraat combine carved wooded doors and traditional Dutch tiles with airy open galleries and sloping, Aruban-style roofs.
Dutch colonial architecture is less visible than on the neighbouring island of Curaçao, but several modern recreations have emerged, including the outdoor shopping mall at Royal Plaza, and a few scattered buildings along Main Street and on the Main Square.
History and culture alcatraz prison tours   The town was built around Fort Zoutman shortly after it was built in 1796 . Initially the town had no official name, being known only as the town on the Bay of Horses ( Paardenbaai  in Dutch) a fitting designation for the place from which many native-bred alcatraz prison tours and raised horses left for neighboring Curaçao. The town has ever since been the capital city of the island. The fort is still one of the town s attractions, others being the tax-free harbour and the Willem III Tower, located near the fort.
All of Aruba s government buildings and main offices are located in the capital city. Oranjestad is also the place to shop or to browse in the marketplace for Aruban art and local handicrafts. Depending on the time of year, you could also find yourself in the middle of Carnival, a summertime festival, the New Year s fireworks, or even a parade in honor of the Queen. At any time of year, Oranjestad is the bustling meeting place of tourists and locals alike.