Ternate and Tidore – North Maluku

Since early in last millennium, the small islands Ternate and Tidore were the only source for cloves in the world. Indian, Arab, Javanese merchants used to call on these islands to carry home this precious cargo. But after the Crusades, the trade route to the Far East was blocked for the Europeans, so the Portuguese, Spaniards, British and the Dutch were determined to discover for themselves the fabled Spice Islands. 

Today the town of Ternate is the Capital of North Maluku , home to two thirds of the islands population, who are predominantly Muslim. Here you can visit historical relics and observe local cultural traditions.