Fort Amsterdam is a historic site located at the top of a promontory that overlooks Great Bay Beach and Philipsburg on the left and Little Bay Beach on the right. It is accessed by the Divi Resort.
Built by the Dutch in 1631 it was the first Dutch fort in the Caribbean and historically speaking, the most important fortification on the island. The fort was then occupied by the Spanish who erected a village sheltering 300 people. The Spanish kept the fort until the signing in 1648 of the Treaty of Concordia, a historic agreement dividing the island between Holland and France.
A short hike leads to the top of the hill where the view of the horizon is so clear that it is very easy to understand why this fort was placed in this place so strategic to protect the island from possible invasions!
Unfortunately, there is not much left of this historic site; some walls, a house, cannons and carriages, however the ride is worth it if only to enjoy a very beautiful view of Phillipsburg Bay and the cruise ships anchored in the turquoise sea. The fort is also ideally placed to admire spectacular sunsets bathing the entire place in orange light
For bird watchers, they will find their happiness, because this space is also a sanctuary for birds; a colony of brown pelicans nests on the west side of the cliff.
Magnificent sunsets, a breathtaking panorama, a view of the bay and the moored liners, birds twirling in the wind, Fort Amsterdam is definitely a place to discover and enjoy!
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