Amsterdam, fort (Curaçao)

As the regional headquarters of the WIC, Curaçao was the only one of the Dutch Antillean islands to acquire a large fortification, Fort Amsterdam, directly after it was conquered in 1634. settled. Later the fort was repeatedly expanded. In the 18th century, the continual threat of war between the European naval powers led to further plans for the improvement of the defence of the island. Although a great many such drawings and plans survive, very few of them have actually been executed.