{{Infobox building | name = Waterfort | native_name = | image = Punda, Waterfort gezien vanaf Riffort - 20652116 - RCE.jpg | image_size = | caption = Waterfort as seen from the Rif Fort (1954) | architectural_style = | cost = | address = | location_town = Willemstad | location_country = Curaçao | client = | owner = | current_tenants = Plaza Hotel Curaçao | coordinates = {{coord|12.10380|-68.93518|display=title, inline}} | construction_start_date = 1827 | inauguration_date = | height = | diameter = | floor_area = | architect = }} '''Waterfort''' is a fort in Willemstad, Curaçao located on the eastern side of the Sint Anna Bay. It was built in 1827 to protect Willemstad against attack. In 1858, marines were stationed in the fort. During World War II, the fort was put into operation again. In 1955, the marines were moved to {{ill|Marinebasis Parera|nl}}, and Plaza Hotel Curaçao, a luxury hotel, was built in the fort.
==History== The earliest fort at the location dated from 1634, but was abandoned.<ref name="traces">{{cite web|url=https://www.tracesofwar.nl/sights/28447/ |title=Waterfort Curaçao |website=Traces of War |access-date=17 February 2022 |language=nl}}</ref> In the 1820s, all existing forts except for Fort Beekenburg were in a neglected state, and governor Paulus Roelof Cantz'laar developed a plan to strengthen the fortifications of Curaçao. In 1825, William I of the Netherlands appointed Lieutenant General Krayenhoff to construct new defences. Krayenhoff arrived in Curaçao on 26 June.<ref name="maritime">{{cite web |url=http://www.curacaomaritime.com/download/media/317 |title=Defensie van Curaçao in de 19e eeuw |website=Curaçao Maritime |date=17 February 2022 |language=nl |access-date=17 February 2022 |archive-date=1 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601095652/http://www.curacaomaritime.com/download/media/317 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
thumb|left|Willem III Barracks (1954) The plan was to build Waterfort on the eastern side of the harbour and the Rif Fort on the western side.<ref name="encycl">{{cite book|url=https://www.dbnl.org/tekst/benj004ency01_01/ |last1=Benjamins |first1=Herman Daniël|last2=Snelleman |first2=Johannes |title=Encyclopaedie van Nederlandsch West-Indië|year=1917|website=Digital Library for Dutch Literature|language=nl|publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers|location=Leiden}}</ref>{{rp|256}} The plan was approved on 10 August 1826,<ref name="maritime"/> and construction started in 1827.<ref name="encycl"/>{{rp|428}} The completion of Waterfort meant that Fort Amsterdam no longer played a defensive role.<ref name="maritime"/>
In 1858, the Willem III Barracks were built inside the fort to house 178 marines.<ref name="maritime"/> By 1917, the fort had become obsolete, and had been abandoned.<ref name="encycl"/>{{rp|428}} During World War II, the fort reopened, and the Netherlands Marine Corps reoccupied the barracks.<ref name="traces"/>
In 1955, it was decided to build Plaza Hotel Curaçao, a luxury hotel, inside the fort. The marines were relocated to {{ill|Marinebasis Parera|nl}} in late 1955, and the barracks were demolished.<ref name="vrij">{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Waterfort+Parera&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010988495:mpeg21:a0049&resultsidentifier=ddd:010988495:mpeg21:a0049&rowid=1 |title=Nog dit jaar komt Waterfort vrij |website=Amigoe di Curacao |date=1 December 1955 |language=nl |access-date=17 February 2022}}</ref><ref name="maritime"/>
==References== {{Commons category}} {{reflist}}
{{Buildings in Curaçao}}
Waterfort Category:Buildings and structures in Willemstad