Central Paramaribo
Independence Square: where the city converges
Independence Square is the central square of Paramaribo, ringed by the Presidential Palace and government ministries. On Sunday mornings between 07:00 and 09:00 it hosts the twa-twa songbird contests.
Check this Opening hours and entry prices in Suriname change without notice. Call or message ahead if you are coming specifically for this.
The square was called Oranjeplein until 1975 and was renamed at independence. On the north side stands the white timber Presidential Palace; the other sides hold the ministries and the National Assembly.
On 25 November, Independence Day, this is the centre of the country. On ordinary Sundays it is the centre of the city too, for an entirely different reason: this is where the men with the songbirds stand.
The square is large, open and almost shadeless. Cross it early or late in the day.
Frequently asked questions
What happens on Independence Square on Sunday morning?
Enthusiasts gather on Independence Square with twa-twa and picolet songbirds in small cages for singing contests, counting which bird sings most often in 15 minutes. It starts around 07:00 and is over before 09:00.
Can you visit the Presidential Palace?
The palace is not open to the general public. You can see it from Independence Square; the garden behind it, the Palmentuin, is free to enter.