Fort Kyk-Over-Al

Fort Kyk-Over-Al sits on a 0.6-acre island where the Essequibo, Mazaruni, and Cuyuni rivers meet, with brick foundations and an arched gateway still visible from its past. The layout spreads across the small island with ruins showing the original Dutch construction methods.

The fort was originally built in 1616 as Fort ter Hoogen and served the Dutch Crown as an administrative hub controlling the river region. It was completely abandoned in 1748 after European powers shifted their focus away from this location.

The fort's Dutch name means 'See over all', referencing its location at the river convergence where it could watch commerce and boat movement. This vantage point let residents observe all arriving and departing vessels on the connected waterways.

Visitors can reach the fort from Georgetown by traveling to Bartica, a town roughly 75 kilometers (47 miles) to the southwest, and then hiring a boat to the island. The journey takes most of the day, so it helps to start early and bring clothes suitable for the tropical heat.

An archaeological team in 1897 examined brick samples and a keystone from the arched gateway to confirm the Dutch origins of the structure. These findings provided physical proof linking the fort directly to its Dutch builders.

GPS coordinates: 6.37806,-58.68889

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:49