Founded in 1745 by Maria de la Jaille, Mariënburg changed ownership several times and also produced coffee in the 19th century. In 1882, the plantation was even abandoned, before being bought by the Dutch company Nederlandsche Handel-Maatschappij (NHM). NHM wanted to set up a large central factory here: a 12 km railroad was even created to transport production from the surrounding plantations. This was Suriname's first railroad. On October 23, 1882, the sugar factory was finally ready. Later, one of the mills collapsed, making the whole operation unprofitable. Sugar cane had to be planted in Mariënburg itself. NHM brought in Javanese contract workers from the Dutch East India colonies in 1890. Hindustanis from British India also worked here. On July 2, 1902, a strike broke out over the low wages paid by NHM: the manager, James Mayor, was chased down and killed by the workers. The colonial army fired on the strikers, killing around 20 and wounding 39. A monument to their memory was erected on July 30, 2006 by Vice-President Ramdien Sardjoe.The plantation also produced rum and had a refinery from 1957. In 1964, the plant was sold to NV Rubber Culture Society Amsterdam, but closed 22 years later. In 1980, it was the last factory in Suriname still in operation, and the plantation gave its name to the famous Surinamese white rum. Today, the plantation and factory no longer exist, but the area attracts many tourists. Some Hindustani and Javanese workers have worked here all their lives and still live here: a most interesting encounter. They'll take you on a tour of the old plantation and enthusiastically recount the conditions of the time, bringing the factory back to life from the ashes.So, even though today it's a small town of just over 4,000 inhabitants and can be toured in a day, it can also be a pleasant place to spend the night to enjoy the peace and quiet and understand the history that once reigned there. Nature has reclaimed its rights over the industrial sites, and the "urbex" aspect lends a special charm to the place.

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