Rooi Catootje is considered an outstanding example of the typical architecture of a Curaçao plantation house. It’s rectangular, two-story central building is completely surrounded on the lower floor by closed galleries and, on three sides, by terraces.
Its location is similar to the placement of other plantation houses in Curaçao.
First, it was built on the top of a hill in order to catch as much breeze as possible; second it is on view of at least two other “Landhuizen”. Such a view was essential for security reasons, as it permitted the owners to send or receive word of impending threats, amongst each other.
Of particular interest to those involved in shipping, as Mongui was, the semaphore on Fort Nassau could be read from the front porch of “Landhuis Rooi Catootje”. Thus, he was able to follow the movements of ships entering and leaving the harbor, from his porch.
