Fort Oranje - Kralendijk, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 12° 08.935 W 068° 16.609
19P E 578683 N 1343125
Fort Oranje is located in Kralendijk harbor in Bonaire, opposite the cruise ship port.
Waymark Code: WMXV9E
Location: Bonaire, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
Date Posted: 03/01/2018
Views: 9
Fort Oranje is the oldest existing structure in Bonaire. It was built by the Dutch in 1639. Above the defensive walls are four English cannons that date from 1808 - 1812. They were placed during the Napoleonic Wars, when the Netherlands lost control of Bonaire for the second time to the British from 1807 to 1816. Bonaire was returned to the Netherlands as a provision of the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1814.
Fort Oranje never saw any action. Until 1837 the fort was used by the commander of Bonaire. The buildings inside the fort were used by the government for police, fire brigade and as storage space.
The lighthouse at Fort Oranje is a square, tapered pyramidal stone tower built in 1932. It replaced the wooden lighthouse built in 1868. It is an active lighthouse used as an aid to navigation. The harbor master's office is located within the fort.
The year the "Fort" was constructed or started.: 1639
Name of "Country" or "Nation" that constructed this "Fort": Kingdom of the Netherlands
Was this "Fort" involved in any armed conflicts?: No it wasn't
What was the primary purpose of this "Historic Fort"?: Used for defence of a border or land claim.
Current condition: Well maintained
This site is administered by ----: Kingdom of the Netherlands
If admission is charged -: 0.00 (listed in local currency)
Open to the public?: Open or unrestricted access.
Official or advertised web-page: [Web Link]
Link to web-site that best describes this "Historic Fort": [Web Link]
Link if this "Fort" is registered on your Countries/ State "Registry of Historical Sites or Buildi: Not listed
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