Fort Zeelandia, Dutch colonial fort on Fort Island, Essequibo River, Guyana
Fort Zeelandia is a brick fortification on Fort Island in the Essequibo River, built with four corner bastions positioned to command the river delta. The compact design sits directly on the water, giving it a strategic vantage point over the surrounding waterways.
The first wooden fort was built in 1726 and replaced by this brick structure in 1743 as Dutch control over the Essequibo expanded and became more permanent. The shift from wood to brick marks a point when the Dutch invested in stronger defenses for their river settlements.
The fort served as the center of Dutch administration for the region and shaped how trade and settlement developed along the river. The layout and buildings still reflect the colonial order that once organized life here.
You can only reach the fort by boat, so you will need to join an organized tour from Georgetown or hire a private boat to get there. Bring water and sun protection, as the island has little shade and you will spend time both on the water and in open areas.
The brick walls regularly show flood marks from the nearby river, revealing how the fort copes with seasonal water changes that visitors might not notice at first. This detail illustrates the site's ongoing relationship with the river that surrounds it.
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