The Jules Albert Wijdenbosch Bridge connects central Paramaribo with Commewijne and is described as Suriname’s highest bridge. In the district, historic waterways, restored plantation houses and a protected natural area offer different facets of Surinamese culture and landscape.
River Crossing and Exploration
A small boat is an option for crossing the river on the way to Commewijne; a scenic cycling tour offers a slower, more immersive way to explore the district. This gives visitors two different ways to get their bearings: crossing the river and exploring Commewijne by bicycle.
Peperpot: Nature and Cultural Heritage
The protected Peperpot Nature Park covers more than 800 hectares. It preserves cultural heritage and biodiversity and provides a habitat for birds and monkeys. For Commewijne, Peperpot is therefore a place where nature conservation and cultural memory go hand in hand.
Waterways, Plantations and Traditions
Commewijne’s historic waterways reflect centuries of Surinamese culture. The restored plantation houses also represent this long cultural history. At the same time, the plantations themselves are no longer in operation. Their remains serve as museums for tourists; buildings and machinery have been preserved on the plantations as visible remnants of slavery. The historical perspective thus ranges from restored houses to material traces of slavery.
Commewijne is home to many descendants of Asian indentured laborers, with whom the district’s diverse cultural tradition is associated. Traditions visitors can encounter include gamelan music and traditional dances. Jaran Kepang is a trance dance in which performers imitate powerful animals such as tigers. Alongside historic sites, music and dance are therefore among the district’s cultural highlights.
Fort Nieuw Amsterdam and Its History
Fort Nieuw Amsterdam is a pentagonal fort that served as an important lookout point for approaching warships. Today, it is an open-air museum; the former prison has been converted into an exhibition space. The fort’s historical context includes both its role during the colonial period and its significance during the Second World War. Its shape, former function and later use give the site several historical layers.
Suriname in a Wider Context
Another historical perspective within the wider destination of Suriname is offered by Paramaribo’s historic centre. Its original street plan has been preserved; the buildings illustrate the combination of Dutch architectural influences with traditional local techniques and materials.
The Central Suriname Nature Reserve also reveals a different landscape on a larger scale in Suriname: it covers 1,592,000 hectares, mostly primary tropical forest, and extends across around eleven percent of the country. The protected area encompasses the upper catchment of the Coppename River as well as the headwaters of other rivers.
Discover more destinations: Meerzorg, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica
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