History
Eight-Sided Sanctuary Restored by Susan Campbell When South America’s most famous freedom fighter Simón Bolívar was exiled from his homeland in 1812, Curaçao offered him refuge. Now, the octagonal tower where his sisters were also given sanctuary has been beautifully restored as the Octagon Museum.
Though born to wealth in Caracas in 1783, Simón Bolívar’s later education abroad exposed him to a new age of reason and enlightenment and also rebellion against the ruling classes. He learned to despise the yoke of Spanish oppression in his homeland, so he returned there to join the republican movement. When the first revolution fell apart, he fled to Curaçao, barely escaping with his life. Gaunt, frail and battle weary, the young man disembarked in Willemstad after having been relieved of all his money and jewels by British agents and hardly looking like the “Great Liberator” he would come to be known as. Though he arrived with only the clothes on his back, he was greeted with great respect, especially by prominent lawyer Dr. Mordechay Ricardo, who offered him a place to stay in Punda. Ricardo also offered Bolívar’s sisters, Maria Antonia and Juana Neponucena, his unique eightsided tower by the sea as a sanctuary. The fiery young rebel and the wise elderly Ricardo became great friends and 26 Nights
were often seen walking the mile from Punda together to visit the sisters. Soon, word of rebellion in Cartagena reached Bolívar so he left to resume the fight. Though his respite here was brief, it was the boost Bolívar needed to regain his strength and resolve. He went on to win independence for Bolivia, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela as the famous “El General”. The Octagon Museum is located at the Avila Hotel. Guided tours are available by appointment, visit www.avilahotel.com or call 461-4377. 쮿
Photos courtesy of Avila Hotel