Fort Oranje (Sint Eustatius)
| Fort Oranje | |
|---|---|
| Oranjestad, Sint Eustatius | |
View of Fort Oranje | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Fortification |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Location | |
Fort Oranje Location within Sint Eustatius shown using the map of the islands of the former Netherlands Antilles | |
| Coordinates | 17°28′55″N 62°59′12″W / 17.481917°N 62.986694°W |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1636 |
| In use | No |
Fort Oranje is a historic fortress located in Sint Eustatius in the Dutch Caribbean. It is located in Oranjestad, the island's capital, on a cliff overlooking Oranje Bay. It was named after the House of Oranje, the royal family of the Netherlands.
The fort was built by the Dutch in 1636, at the location of a previous fort built by the French in 1629. Its construction was commissioned by the Dutch West India Company. Like the island, the fort changed hands several times between the Dutch, English and French. It was rebuilt and renovated several times during the 17th and 18th centuries. Today, the fort is one of many protected buildings in Sint Eustatius.