Pekalongan at the north coast of Java was important for the Company as a supplier of rice and timber to Batavia. Fort De Beschermer (The Protector), which was built in 1753, is not situated at the coast but about three kilometers inland on the left bank of the Loji river. It has a rectangular shape of 79.5 x 60 meter with a half bastion on each corner. On each bastion was a small round sentry box. The entrance gate is in the south wall and small boats could moor before the door.
The fort now functions as a state prison. The complex is in a good condition, but the original shape of the fort and functions of the buildings have changed. Of the four half bastions only the north east and south west bastion still exist. Watch towers on the bastions and the west and east wall guard the prisoners. Inside the fort are several buildings: barracks, offices, a club house, a prayer house and the original well. Most of the buildings function as prison cells. The entrance gate has been turned into a two-story entrance building, with the upper floor being used as the prison administration office.
