EKO di KOSTA
“Where water, heritage, and story come together”
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Volunteering in service of Curaçao’s maritime heritage
Volunteering in service of Curaçao’s maritime heritage
EKO di KOSTA
EKO di KOSTA
Is a Foundation that, in close cooperation with the Heritage agencies on Curaçao, is committed to finding, protecting, and monitoring our maritime heritage.
Maritime heritage means ‘everything that connects us to the water.’
This includes shipwrecks beneath the surface, but also old harbors, quays, bridges, the historic buildings along the Handelskade, and the forts. They are silent witnesses to our history on and around the sea.
We believe that the stories of our coastlines and bays should not only be preserved but also shared and experienced by everyone.
Eko di Kosta is the echo of the events that unfolded off the coast of Curaçao
Story of the Alphen
Story of the Alphen
On September 15, 1778, the warship Alphen exploded in the Sint Annabaai in Willemstad. More than 200 crew members lost their lives. The wreck is scattered across the seabed, and not all parts have been found. The Alphen is an important part of our maritime history.
At the Curaçao Maritime Museum, you can view several recovered artifacts. But because the wreck lies underwater in the busy Annabaai, it is almost completely inaccessible. Only a handful of divers, with special permission, have ever seen the remains.
By thoroughly studying the wreck and creating a 3D reconstruction, everyone can imagine what it looks like. In this way, the stories of the Alphen are not only told, but also made visible
More than just "the Alphen".
More than just "the Alphen".
“he wreck of the Alphen is one of the best‑known stories in our maritime history.
But it is not the only one.
Along the coast of Curaçao, many more sites hold shipwrecks and other traces of our underwater past.
Every wreck, every anchor, and even a single airplane wing carries its own story. These stories speak of trade, war, and the everyday realities of life at sea
Discovering, protecting and promoting heritage
Discovering, protecting and promoting heritage
An important task of Eko di Kosta is to study our coastlines and bays. In doing so, we monitor known sites, discover new ones, and help ensure that they are properly preserved.
This is how we make our heritage visible and accessible, not only for researchers, but also for the community that has every reason to be proud of it.
It is a shared responsibility to safeguard our cultural heritage for future generations.
Knowledge and skills
Knowledge and skills
The underwater heritage training in Aruba (October 2025), initiated by RCE in collaboration with MANA, not only provided us with new knowledge and skills in underwater heritage management, but also showed us how essential collaboration is.
The intensive three‑week course brought us closer to our partners from the other islands. We got to know them in a new way, strengthening our relationships and deepening our connection.
Working together across borders makes our efforts more sustainable and more effective, and reinforces the shared pride we have in our heritage.
Stronger together
Stronger together
Because we believe that heritage brings people together, we work closely with other maritime heritage partners on Curaçao and in the Netherlands.
By combining knowledge, passion, and resources, we create projects that are rooted locally yet meaningful on a global scale.
We are also building a network of volunteers on Curaçao whose dedication and involvement help preserve and share our heritage.
Together, we make our maritime heritage visible, meaningful, and resilient for the future.
Join us!
Join us!
Do you have an idea, want to volunteer, or would you like to support a project?
Do you have an idea, want to volunteer, or would you like to support a project?
Join Eko di Kosta and help us make our maritime heritage visible and meaningful for everyone.
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