Fort Amsterdam guards the entrance to the Sint Annabaai, the inlet that divides Willemstad. Built in 1635 — making it one of the oldest Dutch fortifications in the Western Hemisphere — it served as the seat of the Dutch West India Company in the Caribbean. The fort's distinctive yellow walls and ochre-painted church are among the most recognisable images of Willemstad.
Today the fort houses the governor's office and other government buildings, meaning access to the interior is limited. The exterior, the church, and the courtyard are open to visitors. From the waterfront below the fort walls, you get excellent views of the harbour entrance and the Handelskade on the far side.