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Fort Amsterdam
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The triangular colonial stone fort was built by the Dutch in 1631 as defense for their colonial outpost and seaport at Sint Maarten. Located near Great Bay and Little Bay, it was captured by the Spanish only two years after it was built. The Spaniards occupied it as a military outpost supported by San Juan, Puerto Rico until the end of the long Eighty Years War in 1648.
Today, the fort is small, and in a decaying state of repair, but still worth visiting and commands a great view of the harbor. There are several rusting 19th century cannon in place, and several informational maps and signs illustrating the development of the fort and its history.
Plan your visit
- Make sure to visit the ruins of Fort Amsterdam which date back to 1631 and are among the oldest structures in St Maarten.
- Pack comfortable shoes as you will be doing a lot of walking around Philipsburg and the fort grounds during your visit.
- Check out The Court House Museum, located inside Fort Amsterdam, which features artifacts from throughout Sint Maarten’s history including documents from colonial times, slavery, World War II and more recent events such as Hurricane Irma in 2017.
- Don’t forget your swimsuit as there is a beautiful beach located nearby with crystal clear waters perfect for swimming or snorkeling!
- Take advantage of free guided tours available at Fort Amsterdam which offer insight into its colorful past history and plenty of photo opportunities along the way!
