The city centre is mainly in original condition, contains 291 listed monuments, and has of 2002 been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

[4] The historical centre dates from the 17th and 18th century, and is mainly composed of wooden houses in a plain and symmetrical style, and the street are set in a grid structure.

In January 1821, a fire consumed the area around Oranjeplein (current name: Onafhankelijkheidsplein[6]) and Waterkant, the oldest part of the city.

[7] The slaves Kodjo, Mentor, and Present were found guilty of arson, and burnt alive.

[9] A muddy area to the south of the centre would later be named Frimangron meaning land of the free men.