Fort Amsterdam

About

Fort Amsterdam is a historic Dutch colonial fort at the entrance to Punda's harbor in Willemstad, constructed in 1634 by the Dutch West India Company (WIC) shortly after the Dutch captured Curaçao from the Spanish. The fort served not only as a military fortification but also as the headquarters of the WIC, making it the administrative and military center of the island for centuries. Today, Fort Amsterdam serves as the seat of the government and the governor of Curaçao, making it one of the few active colonial-era government buildings in the Caribbean. The fort is named after the Amsterdam chamber of the WIC and was considered the main fortification among eight forts built on the island. A famous British cannonball from a 1804 attack is still lodged in the southwest wall of the Fort Church inside the complex — a must-see historical detail that visitors can still touch today. The fort's courtyard is free to enter, and visitors can walk the historic walls for panoramic views of the harbor, St. Anna Bay, and the Queen Emma Bridge. The Fort Church, built in 1769, is one of the oldest Protestant churches in the Caribbean and contains historical artifacts, silver collection plates, and old governor tombstones. Fort Amsterdam is located right at the waterfront entrance to Punda, next to the Queen Emma Bridge, and is an essential stop for anyone interested in the colonial history of Curaçao and the Dutch Caribbean.

Fort Amsterdam, Punda, Willemstad

Tips

• The cannonball in the church wall is a must-see detail
• Walk the walls for harbor views
• Free to enter the courtyard. Fort Amsterdam is a fort situated in Willemstad, Curaçao. It was constructed in 1634 by the Dutch West India Company (WIC) and served not only as a military fort but also as the headquarters of the WIC. Currently it serves as the seat of the government and governor of Curaçao. The fort is named after the Amsterdam chamber of the WIC and was considered the main of eight forts on the island

Hours

Mon-Sun Daylight hours

How to get there

Right at the waterfront entrance to Punda, next to the Queen Emma Bridge.