The walls
On the riverbank.
-JvL- from Netherlands — CC BY 2.0 · Sharmil2672 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · -JvL- from Netherlands — CC BY 2.0 · Sharmil2672 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sharmil2672 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sharmil2672 — CC BY-SA 4.0
Fort Zeelandia is a small fortress of stone and red brick on the bank of the Suriname River at the heart of Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname. Low star-shaped walls, colonial buildings with red roofs and green shutters, lawns and palms surround it, with the wide river in front. The French built a wooden fort on this spot in 1640, which the English then strengthened and called Fort Willoughby. The Dutch admiral Abraham Crijnssen took it in 1667 after a three-hour battle and renamed it Zeelandia, starting the Dutch colony. Over time it lost its military value, and in 1772 there were even plans to pull it down. The fort now holds the Surinamese Museum, with collections of archaeology, art, colonial furniture, textiles and historic photos. The old commander's house holds an art academy. You walk the walls and between the buildings, watching the river and ships, with old statues in the yard. The fort is in central Paramaribo, 700 m from the Waterkant. A 2026 travel guide gives entry at about 175 Surinamese dollars, roughly US$5. Keep your belongings safe in busy streets and do not walk alone in quiet spots.
On the riverbank.
Finds and old photos.
Red brick, red roofs.
Zeelandiaweg, on the Suriname River, central Paramaribo
Saints Peter and Paul CathedralSaints Peter and Paul Cathedral is a large wooden church in central Paramaribo. 8 minutes walk
Waterkant and Historic Inner CityThe Waterkant is a riverside street on the Suriname River in central Paramaribo,8 minutes walk
Synagogue and Mosque on KeizerstraatOn Keizerstraat in central Paramaribo, the Neveh Shalom Synagogue and the Keizer15 minutes walkYes, the museum is inside the fort.
The Waterkant is 700 m away.