 The first Europeans to find Maluku were the Portuguese, in 1512.At that time two Portuguese fleets, each under the leadership of António de Abreu and Francisco Serau, landed in the Banda Islands and the Penyu Islands.After they established friendships with local residents and kings – such as with the Sultanate of Ternate on the island of Ternate, the Portuguese were given permission to build fortifications in Pikaoli, as well as the old Hitu State, and Mamala on Ambon Island.