One dimension in the discussion on the role of built heritage as an instrument in the creation of a national identity and in nation building is the possible multicultural setting of a society. The presence of a multicultural context makes the interpretation of heritage a multifaceted and complex phenomenon. If the resources that are available for heritage interpretation originate from a colonial period, the following interesting question can be added to this discussion. In what way and to what extent do different population groups in a plural ethnic society contribute to the socio-psychological meaning of built colonial heritage? The aim of this research is to contribute to this discussion by presenting a case study on Paramaribo, Surinam. Obviously, Surinam is an appropriate example of a plural ethnic society that has been ruled for more than 300 years as a Dutch colony.
