Description of the attraction
Fort Zutman is a military fortification in the city of Oranjestad. Built in 1798 by the Dutch army, it is now the oldest structure on the island of Aruba.
The Dutch used Paardenbaai on the island of Aruba as an intermediate harbor between Curacao and Venezuela. Since 1796, the Army Committee of the Island of Curacao, under the leadership of Governor J. R. Laufer, began to build defensive structures on the islands of Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba in order to have reliable protection from pirates. The fortress in Aruba was named after Rear Admiral of Holland Johan Arnold Zutman, who fought in the Anglo-Dutch and American wars, but never personally visited the island. The fortress was completed in 1798, at first it was armed with two pairs of cannons.
The reconstruction of the fort began in 1826, at the direction of Commander Simon Plats. The citadel was not used as an army garrison from 1830 to 1834, but was occupied by a colonial police brigade. In this regard, in 1859, cells for keeping criminals were added near the eastern and western walls, closing the embrasures and cannons. The eastern annexes were demolished during another reconstruction in 1936, and 31 of the 35 cannon ports remained within the walls until the restoration work in the fortress in 1974.
In response to the order of the manager Ferguson in 1866, work began on the construction of a lighthouse, on which it was planned to install a citywide bell. Upon completion of construction, in 1868, the lighthouse tower was consecrated in the name of the monarch William III. The arches at its base were the western entrance to the fort. The light source in the lighthouse was alternately kerosene, gasoline and acetylene lamps. Electricity was supplied in 1935, and in 1963 the tower was no longer used as a lighthouse.
Over the years, the former fort and lighthouse has served as a clock tower, meeting room, library, post office, tax office, watchtower, and Aruba police station.
Restoration work took place in the fortress and tower from 1974 to 1980. On September 15, 1983, the ancient citadel was put into operation as the history museum of Aruba. It is open to the public from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm on weekdays.
