A nineteenth century cast iron cannon of Dutch origin on the upper battlements of Fort Belgica, guardian of the Banda Islands. First built in 1611, rebuilt in 1662 and again in its distinctive double pentagonal style in 1672, Belgica remains the most evocative of Spice Islands Forts. Despite being rebuilt yet again following earthquake damage in 1795, it surrendered to the British without firing a shot the next year.
Back in Dutch hands, it was stormed by the Royal Navy’s Captain Cole in 1810, who turned its guns against nearby Fort Nassau, to compel its surrender. Back in Dutch hands in 1817, it retained a military role into the 1860’s, though the Spice Wars were long gone by then.
Today, it’s the most visited of the Banda forts, with great views across to the very active Gunung Api volcano, and the other scattered islands of the archipelago