Fort Kastella

Fort Kastella stands on the southwest coast of Ternate and features stone walls with bastions positioned across the coastal terrain. The structure includes different sections that once housed defensive operations and commercial activities.

Portuguese settlers built this fortification starting in 1522 as their first stronghold in the Spice Islands. Portuguese control ended after a major event forced them to abandon this important position.

The fort's name comes from Saint John the Baptist, showing the religious beliefs of the Portuguese settlers who made this place central to their spice trading operations. The site shaped how people moved goods and conducted business across the region.

The fort is located along the Kastela Santo Paulo Highway and can be visited daily. Visitors should allow time to explore the different areas of the ruins and take in the coastal setting.

The fort contains a carved relief showing a pivotal moment that led to the end of Portuguese rule in the region. This artistic work preserves the memory of an event that reshaped the island's political future.