Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
easy hour or two. You'll be in the company of lots of residents, shyly courting couples and
plenty of kids diving into the protected waters. At any time of day, you'll make discoveries
inside and out, including hidden beaches.
Note that you can tell which parts of the walls were built by the Portuguese and which
parts were Dutch-built: the latter designed much wider walls to allow for cannons to be
mounted.
Old Gate
HISTORIC SITE
A beautifully carved British coat of arms tops the entrance to the Old Gate on the outer
side. Inside, the letters VOC, standing for Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie (Dutch East
India Company), are inscribed in the stone with the date 1669, flanked by two lions and
topped by a cock. This portion of the old wall also served as a warehouse for spices wait-
ing to be exported.
Flag Rock
HISTORIC SITE
Flag Rock, at the southernmost end of the Fort, was once a Portuguese bastion. Today it is
easily the most popular place to catch a sunset. During daylight hours you may see dare-
devil locals leaping into the water from the rocks. Numerous vendors sell good street food
like fresh papaya with chilli powder from carts.
During the Dutch period, approaching ships were signalled from the bastion atop Flag
Rock, warning them of dangerous rocks - hence its name. Musket shots were fired from
Pigeon Island, close to the rock, to further alert ships to the danger. Later, the Dutch built a
lighthouse here; since removed, the nearby street name survives.
Main Gate
HISTORIC SITE
The Main Gate in the northern stretch of the wall is a comparatively recent addition - it
was built by the British in 1873 to handle the heavier flow of traffic into the old town. This
part of the wall, the most intensely fortified because it faced the land, was originally built
with a moat by the Portuguese, and was then substantially enlarged by the Dutch who split
the wall in 1667 into separate Star, Moon and Sun Bastions.
