Batavia Castle, Dutch East India Company fort in Jakarta, Indonesia
Batavia Castle was a Dutch East India Company fort positioned at the mouth of the Ciliwung River, with four bastions and a protective moat surrounding the entire structure. The layout created a self-contained military complex designed to control both river access and the settlement beyond.
The fort was built in 1620 after the Dutch East India Company took control of Jayakarta and established its regional base here. It was expanded significantly in 1629 to strengthen defenses against threats from the surrounding sultanate.
The fortress was the heart of Dutch colonial power in Asia, where traders and soldiers managed commerce across the entire region. Walking through the site today, you can feel how this place once controlled the rhythm of commerce and life for many people.
The site sits vacant today under Jakarta's provincial government care, with ongoing archaeological work uncovering brick foundations buried about two meters below ground level. Visitors can explore the original layout through these exposed foundations, which reveal how the fort was arranged and structured.
Governor General Hermann Willem Daendels ordered the destruction of the fort in 1809 and had its materials salvaged to build new structures in Weltevreden. This demolition marked a turning point when the seat of colonial power shifted to a newly planned area outside the old fort.
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