Fort Kalamata is located in Ternate Island, facing Tidore Island and Mitara Island. The Portuguese initially built it in 1540 to monopolize the clove trade and strengthen their domination of other European power in North Maluku. They also used it to face the potential of a Spanish attack that dominated Tidore. 

This fort was originally named Santa Lucia before later it changed its name to Fort Kalamata (after Sultan Ternate Madarsyah’s brother: Prince Kalamata). After the Portuguese left Ternate in 1575, this fort changed hands several times as the government changed. Some of them were the Dutch, Spanish, back to Portuguese, Tidore Sultanate, English before eventually the Dutch took it over in 1810. 

After the Dutch abandoned it in 1843, Fort Kalamata was neglected and dirty. The condition went on until 1989 before finally, the Republic of Indonesia decided to repair the historical building in 1994. Fort Kalamata underwent a massive restoration, and this fort was back to its initial form, like in its glorious era. 

Image Sources:

1. The first winner of Bumi Rempah Nusantara untuk Dunia Photo Competition 2021: General Category

2-4. The Spice Routes’ editorial team documentations

5. Sucipto Mulyo