Fort Beekenburg

Fort Beekenburg lies on a rocky outcrop next to the Caracas Bay east of the city of Willemstad, on the Caribbean island of Curaçao in the Dutch Antilles.

Fort Beekenburg was built in 1703 under the orders of Governor Van Beek to protect the entrance to the bay behind it, Spaanse Water. The round tower of the fort was constructed entirely from stones that were made in the Netherlands and shipped to Curaçao as ballast.

In the 18th century, the fort was neglected during peacetime but restored whenever the threat of war appeared. During these times, it successfully warded off attacks from English warships, French buccaneers, and other pirates. In 1800, its armament included 6 eight-pounder and 4 twelve-pounder cannons. The nearby Battery Uitkijk, under the same command, was armed with 2 twelve-pounder and 2 eighteen-pounder cannons. Today, nothing remains of this battery.

When the island was captured by the English in 1800, Fort Beekenburg was manned by a detachment of English marines from the corvette Nimrod. When the island was returned to the Dutch in 1803, the fort was re-garrisoned with Dutch troops.

In May 1805, a new war with the English broke out, and Commodore Murray and his squadron unsuccessfully attempted to attack Fort Beekenburg. A month later, he returned and tried again, this time with more force. He managed to land in Caracas Bay, leading to several days of land battles. With reinforcements, the Dutch garrison defeated the English and drove them back into the sea.

In 1807, the island fell to the English again. However, the fort’s commander, Lieutenant Hendriks, refused to surrender. He was overpowered by his own men, who opened the gates and deserted.

Later, Curaçao was returned to the Dutch, and Fort Beekenburg served as a military outpost until the mid-19th century, after which it was dismantled. Between 1927 and 2005, the fort was off-limits because the surrounding area was owned and used by an oil company.

Today, Fort Beekenburg is freely accessible, and visitors can climb to the top of the tower. It is my favorite fort on Curaçao due to its appearance and location. Nearby, on a hill, there's a beautiful, abandoned 19th-century building that served as a quarantine hospital and is also freely accessible. Visiting Fort Beekenburg is definitely worthwhile.

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