Fort Nassau, Fortification on Banda Neira, Banda Islands, Indonesia

Fort Nassau is a large four-bastioned quadrilateral fort on Banda Neira, built by the Dutch in 1609 beside the channel between Banda and Banda Besar. It is now damaged and dilapidated, but two bastions and substantial walls remain, and it stands below the more prominent Fort Belgica.

The Portuguese began foundations here in 1529 but abandoned them after resistance from the Bandanese. On 25 April 1609 Admiral Verhoeven landed 750 soldiers and reused those foundations; the Bandanese attacked, killing Verhoeven and 40 men. The Dutch completed Fort Nassau in 1609 as their first fort on Banda Neira, built to control the nutmeg trade.

The fort's name refers to the House of Nassau, the Dutch princely dynasty, and the site sits by the channel between Banda Neira and Banda Besar. The Bandanese attacked the Dutch here on 25 April 1609, killing Admiral Verhoeven and 40 men, an event still tied to the spot. Two bastions and substantial walls remain for visitors to trace.

You can reach the fort by walking along the waterfront path from Ternate City center, with clear views from several angles along the shore. Early morning visits offer the best light for exploring the walls and enjoying the harbor views.

The Portuguese began a fort on this spot in 1529 but abandoned it after building only the foundations, deterred by local resistance. The Dutch reused those foundations in 1609. Two bastions and long stretches of wall from the four-bastioned quadrilateral survive, though the site is dilapidated and overshadowed by Fort Belgica above it.