Fort Amsterdam

Fort Amsterdam is a restored 17th-century Dutch fort located in Hila village, Leihitu District, on the northern coast of Ambon Island in Central Maluku, Maluku Province. Built by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in 1637 and expanded in the 1640s, it served to protect the spice trade in the region. The coastal fort is notable for its block-shaped structure, historic architecture, and seaside setting overlooking Ambon Bay.

Visitors can expect a compact, restored coastal fort with thick stone walls, arched doorways, and a two-storey blockhouse structure set near the shoreline in Hila village. The site includes open grounds, information boards, and views of the sea and surrounding village. Visitors can walk around the exterior and interior, view the historic architecture, take photographs, and learn about the colonial-era history in a quiet, open-air setting.

Fort Amsterdam was built by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in 1637 in Hila and expanded in 1642 under Gerrit Demmer. It functioned as a defensive and administrative post to secure the spice trade on Ambon Island. The fort is one of the oldest Dutch forts in Maluku and is registered as a cultural heritage structure in Indonesia.

The fort is a recognized colonial heritage site representing the Dutch colonial period in Maluku and the historic spice trade era. It is preserved as a cultural heritage attraction and educational site for visitors learning about local history and architecture.