The fort acted as a fortification system for the islands of Banda which was the only place in the world during that period where nutmeg was produced.

[2] In 1662, Jan Pieterszoon Coen ordered the renovation of the original fort, so it was replaced with a more solid redoubt that could accommodate 40 men.

[3][2] By the mid-seventeenth century earthquakes, the tropical monsoonal climate, and poor original construction materials and techniques had resulted in the structure becoming dilapidated.

Despite over 300,000 Guilders spent on the modifications, an armament of 50 guns and a garrison of 400 men[5] Fort Belgica surrendered to a British fleet in 1796 without a shot fired.

In January 2015, Belgica Fort was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List as part of the Historic and Marine Landscape of the Banda Islands.