Belgica Fortress

The Grandeur of Belgica Fortress: Traces of VOC Hegemony and Architectural Gem in the Banda Islands

Belgica Fortress, located in Neira, Banda District, Central Maluku Regency, is one of the most iconic and well-preserved colonial monuments in Indonesia. Standing strong atop a hill 30 meters above sea level, this fortress looms as a symbol of the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie's (VOC) grand ambition to control the world's spice trade, especially nutmeg and mace, which in the 17th century only grew in the Banda Islands.

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Origins and Construction Period

The history of Belgica Fortress did not begin directly as the giant stone structure we see today. Before the arrival of the Dutch, this strategic location had been used by the local community for defense. However, in 1611, under the command of Governor-General Pieter Both, the VOC began constructing an emergency fortification on the hill to oversee Fort Nassau located below it. Fort Nassau was often vulnerable to attacks from the local population and eruptions of the Banda Volcano.

This initial construction phase aimed to provide a higher firing position for Dutch cannons. The name "Belgica" itself was chosen to honor their homeland, Belgium (which was then part of the Dutch dominion). However, the permanent structure known today is the result of a massive reconstruction by Governor-General Cornelis Speelman in 1672-1673. Speelman realized that Banda's position as the world's sole source of nutmeg required an impenetrable defense system.

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Unique Architecture and Construction Details

Architecturally, Belgica Fortress is often dubbed "The Pentagon of Indonesia" due to its precise pentagonal shape. However, upon closer inspection, the fortress has a unique double structure. It consists of two layers of walls: an outer pentagonal wall with five protruding bastions (corner towers), and an inner wall also pentagonal with five round watchtowers.

The construction of this fortress used coral stone, mountain stone, and bricks cemented with a mixture of lime, sand, and egg whites as a traditional adhesive that has proven extremely strong for centuries. Each inner tower can be accessed via narrow spiral staircases, leading guards to the top to monitor the Zonnegat Strait and activities in Neira harbor. In the center of the fortress, there is a large open space (patio) that once served as a troop assembly point and logistics storage. Uniquely, in the center of this patio, there is a secret well that is said to be connected to an underground tunnel leading to the beach, although the existence of this tunnel remains a historical mystery to this day.

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Historical Significance and Important Events

Belgica Fortress was not merely a defensive post; it was an instrument of monopoly enforcement. From the height of its towers, the VOC could monitor every ship movement entering and leaving the Banda Islands. If any ship attempted to smuggle nutmeg without VOC permission, Belgica's cannons were ready to unleash their fury from above.

One of the most significant historical events associated with this fortress was the power struggle between the Dutch and the British. In 1796 and again in 1810, the British successfully captured Belgica Fortress from the Dutch. Captain Cole of the British Navy led a heroic night raid, scaling the fortress walls using bamboo ladders amidst a storm, an event that is still recorded in British military records as one of the bravest conquests in the East. The British occupation of Belgica subsequently allowed them to take nutmeg saplings out of Banda to be planted in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Grenada, which ultimately ended the Dutch world monopoly on this commodity.

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Associated Figures and Periods

Several great figures in colonial history have left their mark on Belgica Fortress. Besides Pieter Both and Cornelis Speelman, Jan Pieterszoon Coen was most responsible for securing this region through brutal military tactics against the native Banda population in 1621. Belgica Fortress served as a "guard" for VOC officials (perkeniers) who managed the nutmeg plantations below. During the period of political exile in the 20th century, national figures like Mohammad Hatta and Sutan Syahrir often gazed at the grandeur of this fortress from their places of exile in Neira, making it a silent witness to the founding fathers' contemplation of independence.

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Preservation Status and Restoration

Currently, Belgica Fortress is under the protection of the Cultural Preservation Center Region XX. The fortress has undergone several restorations, the most significant being carried out by the Indonesian Government in the 1990s. Restoration efforts were conducted with great care to maintain the authenticity of its materials and form.

Unlike many colonial fortresses in Indonesia that have been destroyed or encroached upon by settlements, Belgica remains intact and well-maintained. Its surroundings are preserved as a historical park, making it a major tourist magnet in Central Maluku. Its existence is also an integral part of the nomination of the Banda Islands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, due to its extraordinary historical value in the context of medieval global trade.

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Cultural Value and Unique Facts

For the people of Banda Neira, Belgica Fortress is a source of pride and identity. The fortress appears on an old Rp1,000 banknote, underscoring its national importance as a significant historical site. Culturally, the fortress often serves as a venue for traditional ceremonies or art festivals like "Banda Spirit," where the traditional Cakalele dance is performed against the backdrop of its majestic old stone walls.

Another unique fact is the acoustic system within the fortress. Due to its perfect geometric design, sounds within the patio can echo in a specific way, allowing commanders to issue instructions to the entire troop without having to shout loudly. Furthermore, when viewed from above, Belgica's double pentagonal structure creates a fractal pattern that was highly advanced for 17th-century construction technology.

In conclusion, Belgica Fortress is not just a pile of dead stones. It is a living monument that tells stories of ambition, suffering, trade glory, and architectural resilience. Standing on its ramparts at sunset, with a view of the Banda Volcano emitting thin smoke across the sea, offers a profound spiritual and historical experience of how precious a pinch of nutmeg was to the history of world civilization.