Fort Willem
Hilltop fort ruins above Philipsburg, now sharing the hill with a transmitter.
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Fort Willem sits on the hill above Philipsburg, built by the British in 1801 and taken over and renamed by the Dutch, and what is left is low stonework, a cistern and the outline of the works on the summit, with a communications tower standing among them now. The view is the reason to go up: the whole of Philipsburg, the Great Salt Pond and the bay laid out below.
What you actually see
- The stonework - the low remains of the fort on the summit.
- The cistern - the water store cut into the hill.
- The town view - Philipsburg and the salt pond spread out below.
- The 1801 origin - a work built by the British and taken by the Dutch.
When to go
December to April is the dry high season. Mornings are cooler for the climb. Haze reduces the view at times.
Honest expectations
The climb is steep and hot with no shade. Very little of the fort survives and there is no interpretation. The transmitter compound takes up part of the summit.
Nearby
Philipsburg is below, and the Great Salt Pond is north.
What to pack for Fort Willem
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.