Fort Belgica

Fort Belgica is a 17th-century Dutch fort located on Tabaleku Hill on Banda Neira Island in the Banda Islands, Central Maluku, Maluku Province, Indonesia. Built by the Dutch East India Company in 1611 and rebuilt in the 1660s, it overlooks Fort Nassau and Banda Bay. The well-preserved pentagonal hilltop fort is notable for its strategic position, colonial architecture, and role in the historic nutmeg spice trade.

Visitors can expect a well-preserved pentagonal stone fort on top of Tabaleku Hill with bastions, thick walls, inner courtyard, and restored buildings. The hilltop offers panoramic views over Banda Neira town, Banda Bay, Fort Nassau, Gunung Api volcano and surrounding islands. Inside, visitors can explore ramparts, cannons, corridors and small exhibition rooms, with guided tours explaining the fort's layout and spice-trade history.

Built in 1611 by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) under Governor Pieter Both on Tabaleku Hill to control the nutmeg trade and oversee Fort Nassau below. Destroyed by earthquake and rebuilt in 1662-1663 under Governor Cornelis Speelman. Served as the main Dutch military and administrative stronghold in the Banda Islands during the VOC spice monopoly period and remains one of the best-preserved VOC forts in Indonesia.

Represents the colonial heritage and nutmeg spice-trade history of the Banda Islands, often called the Spice Islands. The fort is a prominent cultural landmark for the Banda community and is included in the Banda Islands' tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage nomination for its historical and architectural value.