Fort Amsterdam

Photo

by David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada

/ CC BY 2.0

Fort Amsterdam is a historic fort located in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten. Built by the Dutch in 1631, it was the first Dutch military fortification in the Caribbean. The fort was strategically positioned on a peninsula between Great Bay and Little Bay, allowing it to oversee and protect the valuable salt pans and the harbor. Over the centuries, Fort Amsterdam saw numerous conflicts and changes in control, including periods under Spanish and British occupation. Today, the fort's ruins are a popular tourist attraction, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area and a glimpse into the island's colonial past.

Also check out

St. Martin of Tours' Church