Bernaveld Fortress

Colonial Traces in the Heart of Halmahera: The History and Grandeur of Bernaveld Fortress

Bernaveld Fortress is one of the most significant silent monuments in the history of world spices, located in Labuha, Bacan Island, South Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province. As part of the colonial defense network in the Eastern Nusantara region, this fortress not only served as a military structure but also as a symbol of the struggle for global economic hegemony in the 16th to 17th centuries.

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Origins and Period of Establishment

The history of Bernaveld Fortress cannot be separated from the ambitions of European nations to control cloves and nutmeg. Initially, the site where this fortress stands was a defense post established by the Portuguese in 1558. At that time, the Portuguese, under Governor Galvao, attempted to assert their influence in the Sultanate of Bacan. However, the Portuguese presence did not last long due to local resistance and rivalries between European nations.

In 1609, the Dutch trading company, Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC), succeeded in capturing the post from the Portuguese. Under the command of Admiral Simon Jansz Hoen, the Dutch began building a more robust permanent structure on the ruins of the Portuguese building. The name "Bernaveld" (often also spelled Barneveld) was taken from an important political figure in the Netherlands, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, who was one of the founders of the VOC. Extensive construction was carried out to ensure the Dutch had full control over the spice distribution routes in the southern Maluku region.

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Architecture and Construction Details

Architecturally, Bernaveld Fortress embodies the style of medieval European defense fortresses with adaptations of local materials. The fortress has a symmetrical rectangular plan with four bastions (observation towers and cannon emplacements) at each corner. The use of these bastions is a characteristic of the "Trace Italienne" military design, intended to minimize blind spots from enemy attacks.

The main material for the fortress walls consists of arrangements of coral stone, river stone, and bricks bonded with a mixture of lime and sand. The wall thickness reaches over one meter, designed to withstand cannon fire from warships. Inside the fortress, there are remnants of buildings that once served as soldier barracks, spice storage warehouses, and residences for VOC officials (Residents). One of the construction's unique features is its well-integrated drainage system, considering Labuha's location with high rainfall.

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Historical Significance and Important Events

Bernaveld Fortress played a key role in the Extirpation policy implemented by the VOC. Extirpation was a policy of destroying local spice trees to maintain price stability in the European market. From this fortress, "Hongitochten" (Hongi Expeditions) patrols were dispatched to monitor people's plantations on the mainland of Halmahera and surrounding islands.

One unique event rarely widely recorded is the fortress's role in the transition of power between the Sultanate of Bacan and the colonial authorities. Unlike Ternate or Tidore, which often engaged in open confrontation, relations in Bacan tended to be more diplomatic but full of pressure. This fortress became the location for the signing of various agreements (treaties) that gradually reduced the sovereignty of the Sultan of Bacan over his own territory.

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Associated Figures and Periods

Besides Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, whose name is immortalized, Simon Jansz Hoen was a central military figure in the early history of this fortress. On the other hand, the history of this fortress is also closely linked to the lineage of the Sultan of Bacan. During the reign of Sultan Muhammad Hayatuddin Shah, this fortress became a cultural meeting point between the sultanate's traditions and colonial administration.

During World War II, the fortress was repurposed under Japanese occupation. Japanese troops used Bernaveld's sturdy structure as a logistics warehouse and air defense base before it was eventually recaptured by Allied forces. Small modifications from the Japanese era can sometimes still be found on some parts of the foundation structure.

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Preservation Efforts and Current Status

The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Education and Culture, has designated Bernaveld Fortress as a National Cultural Heritage. This status provides legal protection against destruction or land-use changes. Since the early 2000s, several stages of restoration have been carried out to repair walls that have collapsed due to age and extreme tropical weather.

Currently, Bernaveld Fortress is well-managed as a premier historical tourist attraction in South Halmahera. The environment around the fortress has been landscaped into a beautiful city park, making it a public space for the people of Labuha. Although some parts of the building have been lost, the main structure of the walls and bastions still stand tall, providing a clear visual representation of past glory.

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Cultural and Educational Value

For the people of North Maluku, especially the residents of Bacan, Bernaveld Fortress is more than just a pile of old stones. It is a reminder of the resilience of their ancestors in facing the waves of colonialism. Culturally, this fortress often serves as a backdrop for local cultural festivals, such as the Bumi Saruma Festival, which aims to introduce the historical richness of South Halmahera to the international world.

Educationally, this site serves as a historical laboratory for researchers and students. The existence of this fortress proves that the Maluku Islands were once the center of global economic gravity. Without fortresses like Bernaveld, the map of global trade history might look very different today.

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Conclusion and Unique Facts

A unique fact that distinguishes Bernaveld from other fortresses in Maluku is its location right in the center of modern Labuha, yet it manages to retain the atmosphere of past tranquility. If a straight line were drawn, the fortress's position is very strategic as it directly faces the sea, allowing for surveillance of every ship entering Labuha Bay.

Through the existence of Bernaveld Fortress, present generations can learn about the importance of preserving historical heritage. It is a monument that tells of ambition, suffering, diplomacy, and ultimately, the resilience of a nation. Visiting this fortress is a journey through time, tracing stone corridors that once witnessed great human turmoil for the sake of precious grains of spice.