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San Nicolas |
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 Up
until the late nineteenth century, San Nicolas , the oldest and
largest city in Aruba, existed as a peaceful settlement of a few
fishermen and their families living in small huts scattered along
the southeast coast. All that changed in 1879 when the Aruba
Phosphate Company began exporting locally mined phosphate in large
quantities to the US. Subsequent demand, combined with the need for
a larger workforce, prompted officials to build houses for their
employees, and the makings of the town began. After vast oilfields
were discovered off the coast of Venezuela during the early part of
the twentieth century, the Largo Oil and Transport Company announced
plans to build an oil refinery near town. By 1951, the once-quiet
village had a population of just over 20,000 residents, almost twice
the size of Oranjestad - and twice the size of the town's current
population. Social clubs, golf courses and luxurious homes in the
new suburbs of Largo Heights and
Seroe Colorado
were built for the hordes of workers - from the island and beyond -
who flocked to this boomtown. When the refinery closed in 1985, the
city was left in a shambles until it was reopened in 1991 by Coastal
Aruba Refining.
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to offer, other than a few abandoned ruins of old buildings that
give a glimpse of the British-Caribbean charm of the town's former
glory days. This will change, however, in the near future as plans
for hotels and an exclusive shopping district are in the works. For
now, restaurants, snack stalls and a handful of shops selling local
crafts and souvenirs can be found alongside the picturesque
promenade on Zeppenfeldstraat. A requisite stop is the legendary
Charlie's Bar and Restaurant , which dates back to 1941. Over sixty
years' worth of mementos left by seamen, refinery workers, scuba
divers and other visitors adorn the walls and ceilings. |
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Charlies Bar San Nicolas |
Entrance Charlies Bar Close Up |
| In San Nicolas is the
most famous bar of the island: Charlie's bar. Everywhere you look,
on every spot, are souvenirs from all kinds. Baseball caps, soccer
shirts, little flags, train tickets, postcards: everything. It's
real fun to look around. Charlie's bar was founded in 1941 by the
original Holland-born Charlie and Marie Brouns. The second World war
made San Nicolas a Boom Town. Seaman, contractors, refinery and
harbor workers made Charlie's bar famous. In 1977 Charlie was
decorated by the Queen of Holland with the order of Oranje Nassau
and promptly retired. As he always said: "The gold medal belongs to
Marie". Charlie Jr. born and raised in Aruba, took over the bar and
proudly tries to preserve the traditions.
Nearby, about 6km east of San Nicolas, are two
small popular public beaches . To reach them, take Fortheuvelstraat
out of town until you come to a huge cement anchor at the end of the
road. Turn right on the main road and follow the signs to
Rodger's Beach
and Baby Beach.
You'll first hit Rodger's Beach , which, despite a view of the
nearby oil refinery, is a good spot with decent swimming conditions
and the Coco Bar and Grill Restaurant . Just east of here, the
sheltered waters of
Baby Beach
offer ideal swimming conditions, especially for families with small
children, as well as good snorkeling.
Lourdes Grotto
It is located at Seroe
Pretoe (black hill) near San Nicolas. The Lourdes Grotto was created
under the guidance of a priest named "Erkamp" and parishioners in
the year 1958. The year assumes legendary significance, as it is
believed that 150 years ago the Holy Virgin appeared in front of
Bernadette. Bishop Holterman blessed the statue from the Holy Virgin
and Bernadette. The statue weighed 700 kilos and eight people
hoisted the statue and placed it in the grotto. Every year, on
February 11th (feast of Lady of Lourdes) a procession leaves from
the St. Theresita church in San Nicolas to the grotto, where a mass
is performed.
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| Lourdes Grotto |
Entrance |
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