Duurstede Fortress

Origins and Period of Establishment

The history of Duurstede Fortress began in the 17th century, a time when the spice islands became the center of attention for world maritime powers. The fortress was first built by the Portuguese in 1671. However, Portuguese rule in the region did not last long after the Dutch trading company, Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC), began to establish its influence in Maluku.

In 1691, the Dutch Governor in Maluku, Nicolaas Schaghen, ordered the reconstruction and expansion of the fortress structure. The name "Duurstede" was taken from an ancient city in the Netherlands, Wijk bij Duurstede, reflecting the Dutch effort to instill their homeland's identity in the colony.

The fortress's location was strategically chosen to oversee the Saparua Strait, which was a very busy and highly valuable clove trade route at that time.

Architecture and Construction Details

Architecturally, Duurstede Fortress adopts the classic 17th-century European military defense style. The fortress was built with coral stone as the primary material, bonded with a mixture of lime and sand. Its structure is rectangular with several bastions (watchtowers) at its corners, allowing soldiers to monitor all directions, both towards the sea and the land.

One of the unique features of Duurstede Fortress is its location at an altitude of about 20 meters above sea level. This provided a significant tactical advantage for the fortress's rulers to repel attacks from the sea using heavy cannons. Within the fortress complex, there were various functional buildings such as spice warehouses, soldier barracks, the resident's quarters (Dutch officials), and a stuffy underground prison. The main entrance to the fortress has a thick wooden gate with colonial ornaments whose remnants can still be seen today.

Historical Significance: A Turning Point in Pattimura's Resistance

The name Duurstede Fortress cannot be separated from the most dramatic historical event in Maluku: the Pattimura War of 1817. This event was triggered by the dissatisfaction of the Saparua people with the oppressive policies of the Dutch, who had regained power after a brief period of British occupation. Policies such as forced labor, mandatory surrender of agricultural produce, and the dismissal of local school teachers sparked great anger.

On May 16, 1817, Thomas Matulessy, better known as Kapitan Pattimura, led the Saparua people's forces in a surprise attack on Duurstede Fortress. In a very fierce battle, Pattimura's forces succeeded in capturing the fortress from the Dutch. The most shocking event for the colonial authorities was the death of the Saparua Resident, Johannes Rudolph van den Berg, along with almost his entire family and the Dutch garrison on duty there.

The success in capturing Duurstede became a symbol of immense psychological victory for the Maluku people. It proved that even European fortresses, considered impregnable, could fall to the unity of the local people. For several months, the fortress served as Pattimura's command center before the Dutch eventually sent massive military reinforcements from Batavia to retake the area.

Important Figures and Related Periods

Besides Kapitan Pattimura, the history of this fortress also records the involvement of other important figures such as Christina Martha Tiahahu, a female hero who was only 17 years old but bravely took up arms against the Dutch alongside her father. On the Dutch side, names like Admiral Buyskes are important records as he led the retaliatory expedition to recapture Saparua.

The fortress also marked the transition of power in Maluku. From the VOC monopoly era, it shifted to the British transitional period (under Thomas Stamford Raffles), and then back into the hands of the Dutch Kingdom (Dutch East Indies). Each period left different administrative and military traces within the fortress's organizational structure.

Preservation Efforts and Current Status

After Indonesia's independence, Duurstede Fortress was designated a national cultural heritage site. The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Education and Culture, regularly undertakes conservation efforts to prevent the coral stone structure from being eroded by extreme weather and corrosive sea spray.

Several renovations have been carried out, including repairs to the floors, walls, and wooden stairs. Currently, the fortress functions as an open-air museum. Inside, visitors can see dioramas depicting the course of the Pattimura War, as well as a collection of ancient cannons still resting on the bastions, facing the blue Saparua Bay.

Cultural Meaning and Symbolism

For the people of Central Maluku, especially the residents of Saparua, Duurstede Fortress is more than just a tourist attraction. It is a symbol of pride and identity. Every year, as part of the Pattimura Day commemoration (May 15th), the fortress becomes the center of the Pattimura torch procession, carried from Mount Saniri. The flame symbolizes an unextinguished spirit of struggle.

The existence of this fortress also serves as a reminder of Maluku's long history as "The Spice Islands." Although spice trade is no longer a major global economic force, Duurstede Fortress still stands to tell the story of a time when one quintal of cloves from Saparua was worth as much as gold in European markets, and how great the sacrifices made by ancestors were to defend their homeland's sovereignty.

By visiting Duurstede Fortress, everyone is invited to reflect on the precious price of freedom. This ancient structure remains standing, defying time, to ensure that the name Pattimura and the struggle of the Maluku people will never be forgotten by future generations.