Fort Rotterdam - Makassar

The Best Preserved Dutch Fort in Asia 

(Barbara Crossette, New York Times Reporter)

History of Fort Rotterdam

According  to some literatures, this fort was build in  1545 by the King  of Gowa Kingdom , Imanrigau Daeng Bonto Karaeng Lakiung. Initially the name of this fort is Fort Ujung Pandang, while locals used to call it Fort Panyyua.  This fort used to be a landmark of Gowa Kingdom in its years of properity.

During Sultan Hassanuddin’s administration (1655-1669), the dutch attacked Gowa Kingdom in order to gain control of spice trade and as a milestone to conquer Banda and Maluku, the land of nutmeg. During this one-whole-year aggression,  Fort Ujung Pandang was heavily damaged, and the Sultan was forced to sign the Bongaya Treaty with which the Kingdom of  Gowa  gave its administration under the VOC (dutch east india company), therefore made Gowa  as a de-facto colonial territory of dutch. After rebuilt by dutch governor Cornelis Speelman, the fort was named Fort Rotterdam as a legacy to Speelman’s hometown. 

http://wisata.makassarkota.go.id

Original design of Fort Rotterdam was rectangular-as the majority of Portuguese buildings- with four bastions on each of its corner. The sea-turtle ground plan is in line with the philosophy of the Makassar people as sea explorers.

However, after Speelman’s renovation, Fort Rotterdam adopted dutch style, and the 5^th bastion was added on its western side.

Location

Strategically stands in front of the sea, Fort Rotterdam is within walking distance from the other landmark, Losari Beach. Now surrounded by modern buildings, this Fort Rotterdam is easily recognized by large red legend ‘Fort Rotterdam’ in front of the statue of the Great Sultan Hassanuddin.

Inside Fort Rotterdam

Passing through a sturdy gate, you'll see a well-maintained buildings and garden

Turn left from the entrance gate, you' ll see this legend :

 

Step up to the Bastion Bone , you'll see the sea spreads out in front of Fort Rotterdam, 

a beautiful 360-degree view :

Throw your eyes to the inside part of the Fort Rotterdam from Bastion Bone,you'll see the building use for La Galigo Museum:

If you turn right from the entrance gate, you'll find a prison-cell the dutch used to jail Prince Diponegoro until the end of his life :

Fares

Entrance fee  to Fort Rotterdam is voluntary, while to enter the La Galigo Museum there's a fare of about IDR 10,000-15,000.

Planning to visit Makassar? Include Leang-leang prehistoric cave to your itinerary, and find interesting wall paintings from 5000 years ago.