{{Short description|Protected area in Curaçao}} {{refimprove|date=November 2008}} {{Infobox Protected area | name = Christoffelpark | image = File:Christoffelberg, Curaçao Feb 26, 2018 08-05-27.jpeg | image_caption = Christoffel Mountain | location = Curaçao | map = Curaçao | nearest_city = Willemstad | coordinates = {{coord|12.3333|N|69.1167|W|source:wikidata|display=title}} | established = 1978<ref name="protected">{{cite web|url=https://www.protectedplanet.net/232 |title=Curacao|website=Protected Planet|access-date=17 April 2021}}</ref> | area = {{convert|10.4|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}<ref name="protected"/> | website = [https://www.christoffelpark.org christoffelpark.org] | map_caption = | iucn_category = II<!--<ref name="protected"/>--> | governing_body = CARMABI<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.christoffelpark.org/nursery |title=Nursery|website=Christoffelpark|access-date=17 April 2021|language=nl}}</ref> }} '''Christoffelpark''' is a national park, protected nature area and tourist attraction at the north-western end of the island of Curaçao surrounding Christoffelberg (Mt Christoffel).
Notable for its flora, fauna, culture and history, the park includes three former plantations, Plantage Savonet, Plantage Zorgvlied and Plantage Zevenbergen,<ref name="plantation"/>{{rp|14}} a mine complex, Newton, and the island's highest point, Christoffelberg ({{convert|1239|ft|m}}). The park covers 1,860 hectares<ref name="plantation">{{cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311811250 |title=Cultural ties to the land in an arid plantation setting in Curacao|year=2009|website=Research Gate|author=Adolphe Oscar Debrot}}</ref>{{rp|14}} of which 1,040 hectares are nature reserve,<ref name="protected"/> and has been part of Curaçao's national park system since 1978. It forms part of the North-east Curaçao parks and coast Important Bird Area.<ref name=bli> {{cite web |url=http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/north-east-curaçao-parks-and-coast-curaçao-iba-curaçao-(to-netherlands)|title= North-east Curaçao parks and coast|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2007 |website= BirdLife Data Zone|publisher= BirdLife International|access-date= 21 October 2020|quote=}}</ref>
{{As of|2001}} the park is run by the Carmabi Foundation (Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity Foundation) and can be explored by visitors by car, bike, horse or on foot.
==History== Plantation Savonet in Christoffelpark is one of the earliest plantations to be founded on Curaçao.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://curacaomonuments.org/sites/landhuis-savonet-weg-naar-westpunt-z-n/ |title=Landhuis Savonet, Weg naar Westpunt z.n.|website=Curaçao monuments|access-date=17 April 2021|language=nl}}</ref> {{As of|2011}} the irrigation system is still reasonably intact. Attempts were made to cultivate aloe, indigofera, sorghum, corn, cotton, and beans. Cows, sheep, goats and poultry were also farmed on the plantation.
The plantation houses of Savonet and Zorgvlied (situated at the mountain side of the park) were built on the island in the eighteenth century. Of Zorgvlied only ruins remain. About {{Convert|100|m|ft}} west of Zorgvlied ruins is the house of the 'bomba', the slave in charge of other slaves, and a 'slave-pole'.
Roads in the park were sealed in 2004.
==Flora and fauna== Chistoffelpark has more biodiversity than elsewhere on the island. Flora present in the park includes three pillar cacti species (datu, kadushi, and kadushi di pushi), divi-divi trees and exotic flowers. Cacti in the park reach up to ten feet high, and several extremely rare orchids, such as the lady of the night and Humboldt's schomburgkia, can be found blooming on them. Plant species occurring only in Christoffelpark include ''Myrcia curassavica'', endemic to Curaçao, and ''Maytenus versluysii'', endemic to Curaçao and Bonaire.
Fauna notable in the park includes mammals like the white-tailed deer, the cottontail, and several species of bats, birds like the rare white-tailed hawk, an endemic subspecies of barn owl (''Tyto alba bargei''), hummingbirds like the common emerald and the ruby topaz (''Chrysolampis mosquitus''), and the endemic yellow oriole. Reptiles and insects are also well represented.
==Tourism== {{anchor|Museum}} Christoffelpark is open to visitors Monday to Sunday from 6am to 3pm, with no admittance after 1.30 pm. Visitors are not allowed to start climbing Mount Cristoffel after 10am.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.christoffelpark.org |title=Christoffelpark Curacao |accessdate=21 February 2011 |publisher=Caribbean Research & Management of Biodiversity}}</ref>
There are eight hiking trails in the park, of which the Christoffel Mountain climb is the most challenging. Visitors are advised to attempt this climb early in the morning. There are four sealed roads through the park. Organised tours include a deer-spotting sunset tour, a pick-up safari, and the "Savonet history" tour.
The Savonet Museum is located in the plantation house near the entrance to Christoffelpark, and recounts the history of the Savonet plantation and its owners and slaves.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/curacao/west-end/attractions/savonet-museum/a/poi-sig/1548682/1331154 |title=Savonet Museum|website=Lonely Planet|access-date=21 April 2021}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.christoffelpark.org Official site] * {{commons category-inline}}
Category:Protected areas of Curaçao