The cannons
On walls over the water.
-JvL- from Netherlands — CC BY 2.0 · -JvL- from Netherlands — CC BY 2.0 · -JvL- from Netherlands — CC BY 2.0 · -JvL- from Netherlands — CC BY 2.0 · Dan Sloan — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Dan Sloan — CC BY-SA 2.0
Fort Nieuw-Amsterdam is a large star-shaped fort where the Suriname and Commewijne rivers meet, across the river from Paramaribo. Today it is an open-air museum, with old cannons on the walls facing the water and wooden and brick buildings among lawns and trees. After French raiders attacked the colony in 1712, a strong fort was planned at the meeting of the rivers, and it was built from 1734 to 1747. British forces took it in 1804 during the Napoleonic Wars. It served as a prison from 1863 to 1967. Inside is an old lightship moored in a dock, and a monument put up after independence. You walk the walls among the old cannons and watch the two rivers meet. The old buildings hold displays on the site's history and on Maroon art, with carved and painted wooden doors. The yards hold old carts and equipment. The fort is 9 km in a straight line north-east of Paramaribo, reached by car over the bridge or by boat. The museum charges an entry fee we could not confirm. The sun is strong, so bring a hat and water.
On walls over the water.
Carved, painted doors.
Moored in a dock.
Meeting of the Suriname and Commewijne rivers, Commewijne District
By car over the bridge or by boat from Paramaribo.
One to two and a half hours.