The military Fort Zoutman was built in 1798 and marks the oldest building on the island. The Fort now houses the Historical Museum of Aruba.

The Willem III Tower has been a striking landmark in Aruba since the year 1868. It was initially used as a lighthouse.

About the history of the island: Aruba as a colony was of little importance for the Dutch Kingdom. Curaçao, headquarters of the colonizers, dominated Aruba and used it for cattle. But in the 18^th and 19^th century, the Caribbean waters became infested with pirates, who relentlessly attacked gold-carrying ships coming from South-America.

In the late 1700s it was decided to build fortresses on all three Leeward islands, Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. In 1789 a fort was built in Oranjestad; this was done by all available men, slaves included. It was named Fort Zoutman after a Dutch war hero. This fort is the oldest building on the island and was mainly built to resist attacks from pirates.

Strangely enough, the square structure of the fort had only three decent walls, the side facing the ocean remained open as the shallow Bay of Horses would prevent a surprise approach by enemy ships, it was thought. At the time, the fort was located on the water’s edge. During the following centuries the shoreline receded to its current position.

Within the fort there were a few buildings that were used to house soldiers and store military equipment. Later it was used by the police, as a prison and for any other governmental purposes for which there was no building or office at the time.

The military importance of the fort may be neglected: hardly any shots were fired from the canons, just on several occasions when ships ventured too close to the shore. It did not deter the English to take over the island twice at the beginning of the 19^th century. In 1816, however, the island was returned to the Dutch authorities and after that there were no more threats which required defensive action.

The fort has undergone several restorations and houses the Aruba Historical Museum. Every Tuesday evening a folkloric show, the Bon Bini Festival, is held in the courtyard of Fort Zoutman. Don’t miss it!

The Willem III Tower

In 1866, Ltd Governor Ferguson requested the construction of a bell tower in Oranjestad. He got more than he asked for: a lighthouse, with a bell on top. It sounded on the hour and announced all events in Oranjestad, varying from the arrival of a ship to a fire. The tower was constructed in front of the west entrance of Fort Zoutman and was completed in 1868.

Named after William III, King of the Netherlands, the tower’s light was lit for the first time on his birthday, February 19, 1868. The construction layer of the tower functioned as the entrance to the fort. It housed a police station with watch post. The first floor, where the balcony is located, was used as sleeping quarters for the police officers. Just imagine how small these quarters were: five men slept in a space of 10 by 10 ft…

The tower consisted of only four floors. On top of the fourth floor there was an octagonal structure for the kerosene lamp. This construction was replaced by a wooden roof until, in 1930, a high stone structure was built. The kerosene lamp was exchanged for a two-pit petrol lamp and in 1930 by an acetylene lamp and later electric lighting. A fifth floor segment was added with clock dials on each side. In 1963 the lamp was taken away and the tower lost its function as a lighthouse. By the way: you can climb the stairs inside up to the roof.