Victoria Fortress

Colonial Traces and Symbols of Power: The Long History of Victoria Fortress in Ambon

Victoria Fortress is one of the most significant historical monuments in Eastern Indonesia, particularly in Ambon City, Maluku. As a defense structure that has stood for centuries, this fortress is not merely a pile of stones and cement, but a silent witness to the transition of power from the Portuguese to the Dutch, as well as the struggle of the Maluku people in defending their sovereignty.

#

Origins and Period of Establishment: From Nossa Senhora da Anunciada to Victoria

The history of Victoria Fortress did not begin with the Dutch, but with the Portuguese who first established their influence in the Maluku Islands for the sake of the clove and nutmeg commodities. In 1575, under the leadership of Sancho de Vasconcelos, the Portuguese built a wooden fortress named Nossa Senhora da Anunciada. Its location was strategically chosen on the coast of Ambon Bay to control the spice trade traffic.

However, Portuguese dominance began to falter when the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC) arrived in these islands. In 1605, the Dutch fleet under the command of Steven van der Hagen succeeded in capturing this fortress without significant resistance from the Portuguese, who were weakening at the time. After falling into Dutch hands, the fortress was renamed Victoria Fortress, which literally means "Victory." This name was chosen to celebrate the VOC's success in ousting their European rivals from the world's spice production centers.

#

Architecture and Construction Details

Architecturally, Victoria Fortress underwent massive transformations at the hands of the Dutch. If it was initially just a wooden and earth structure, the Dutch rebuilt it using coral stones, bricks, and traditional mortar made from a mixture of lime and sugarcane juice or egg whites.

The fortress has the typical bastion typology of 17th-century European military architecture. Its basic shape resembles a polygon with bastions at each corner, allowing cannons to cover all directions, both towards the sea to repel enemy ships and towards the land to monitor the movements of the local population. Within the fortress area, there is a complex of buildings including spice warehouses, soldier barracks, the governor's residence, and a small church. One of its unique features is the main gate facing the sea, which in its heyday served as the official entrance for high-ranking VOC officials and international guests.

#

Historical Significance and Important Events

Victoria Fortress played a vital role as the VOC's administrative center in the Maluku region before the administrative center was moved to Batavia (Jakarta). From this fortress, the "Hongi Tochten" or Hongi Expeditions policy was planned and supervised. This policy was the Dutch attempt to monopolize the spice trade by destroying clove trees belonging to the people that were considered illegal or exceeded production quotas.

One of the most heroic events associated with Victoria Fortress was the resistance of Thomas Matulessy, better known as Kapitan Pattimura, in 1817. Although Pattimura succeeded in capturing Duurstede Fortress in Saparua, he was eventually captured by the Dutch. On December 16, 1817, in front of the gate of Victoria Fortress, Kapitan Pattimura along with his fellow fighters such as Anthony Rhebok, Philip Latumahina, and Said Perintah, were executed by hanging. This event makes Victoria Fortress a highly emotional site for the people of Maluku, symbolizing the ultimate sacrifice for independence.

#

Related Figures and Periods

Besides Kapitan Pattimura, this fortress is also closely associated with prominent figures such as Governor-General Jan Pieterszoon Coen, who visited to strengthen Maluku's defenses. In the 20th century, during the outbreak of World War II, the fortress was briefly occupied by Japanese troops after the Dutch surrendered unconditionally in Ambon in 1942. The Japanese used the fortress as a logistics base and air defense to counter Allied attacks in the Pacific.

After the proclamation of Indonesian independence, the fortress became a center of political turmoil during the South Maluku Republic (RMS) rebellion in 1950. TNI forces under the command of Colonel A.E. Kawilarang laid siege to the fortress to restore the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia in Ambon. The TNI's victory in recapturing the fortress marked the end of separatist power dominance in the region.

#

Preservation Status and Restoration Efforts

Currently, the condition of Victoria Fortress is in a unique yet challenging state. Most of the fortress area is within a military zone managed by Kodam XVI/Pattimura. This has a dual impact: on one hand, the physical security of the fortress is maintained from vandalism, but on the other hand, public access for historical tourism is limited.

The Ambon City Government and the Cultural Preservation Center Region XX have made various communication efforts for total revitalization. A major plan being drafted is to make Victoria Fortress a national cultural heritage site fully open to tourists, similar to Vredeburg Fortress in Yogyakarta or Rotterdam Fortress in Makassar. Restoration efforts include cleaning the coral stone walls that have begun to be overgrown with lichens and repairing the building structures within the fortress that have started to decay with age.

#

Cultural Meaning and Symbolism

For the residents of Ambon City, Victoria Fortress is a symbol of identity. This fortress is not just an old building, but the zero point (kilometer zero) of the city's history. Its existence reminds the community of Ambon's position as the "Pearl of the East" that was coveted by the world. Culturally, this fortress also reflects acculturation, where European building techniques blend with local Maluku materials.

Religiously and socially, the area around the fortress was once a center for the spread of Christianity brought by the Portuguese and later continued by the Dutch (Protestant). This is evident from the presence of old churches standing not far from the fortress complex, creating an integrated historical landscape of military, trade, and religion.

#

Conclusion and Unique Facts

One unique fact that is rarely known is that beneath Victoria Fortress lies a network of underground tunnels that are said to connect the fortress with several strategic points in Ambon City. Although many of these tunnels are now closed or submerged by seawater, their existence adds to the mystery and historical appeal of this site.

In conclusion, Victoria Fortress stands strong on the edge of Ambon Bay as a reminder of a past filled with blood and tears, but also with the spirit of struggle. Preserving this fortress means safeguarding the collective memory of the nation so that future generations do not forget that the freedom they enjoy today was paid for with a long struggle that began within these coral stone walls.