Castle Defense grattest in Asia

a thing to be reasonable when a New York Times reporter, Barbara Crossette once described the fort Fort Rotterdam in Makassar as "the best preserved Dutch fort in Asia", the most preserved Dutch fort in Asia. During a visit late last year, I still feel the charming feel of a fortress built in the 17th century this. Heritage of the Sultanate of Gowa, this castle stands on the edge of a solid west coast of Makassar.

 

Although on some side looks dull with moss attached to the walls of the fort wall, glory is still felt. When standing in front of a sturdy gate I suddenly thought of the greatness of this Sultanate of Gowa built the fort. From 17 fort built around the city, Fort Rotterdam was a stronghold of the remaining up to now and still maintained its authenticity.

From the architectural aspects of this castle-shaped building featuring turtles would crawl down into the ocean. Because of its shape like a turtle, sometimes the fort was also named Castle Panyua (Turtle), the representation of the triumph of the Sultanate of Gowa who always won the victory on land and sea.

Fort Rotterdam was built in 1545 by King of Gowa to X-named I Manrigau Daeng Bonto Karaeng Lakiung or Karaeng Tunipalangga Ulaweng. The basic ingredients of this fortress construction from stone and clay are burned to dry. On 9 Agustus1634, Sultan of Gowa the XIV (I Mangerangi Daeng Manrabbia with the title of Sultan Alauddin) make the wall Rock wall with a black stone brought from the mountains Kartz Maros region. On June 23, 1635, rebuilt the walls of the second wall near the gate.

History records, to strengthen the spice trade routes and expand the power, the Dutch fort was never attacked during the reign of Sultan Hasanuddin between 1655-1669. Led by the Governor General Admiral Cornelis Janszoon Speelman, Dutch troops pounding the Sultanate of Gowa during the full year.

They faced tough resistance warrior Sultan of Gowa. As a result, partially destroyed the fort and the forces of Sultan Hasanuddin surrender. As a result of the defeat of the Sultan of Gowa Bongaya forced to sign the Agreement on November 18, 1667. His name is now enshrined into one state university and an international airport in Makassar.

 

 The fortress was partially destroyed and then rebuilt by the Governor-General Speelman with Dutch architecture model. Speelman named the fort was the same as the name of his birthplace, Rotterdam. Forms fort was rectangular with four bastions, added one more bastion on the west side. The presence of the fort was not only the Dutch government center in eastern Indonesia, but also a central coordination of the spice trade of the archipelago.

A white statue depicting the Sultan Hasanuddin riding horses greet visitors at the fort. Statue of a gallant, but unfortunately there are a naughty hands to scribble a few parts of the statue. Entering the fort area, we can go straight to Lagaligo Museum which contains relics of historical and cultural artifacts of the past, especially the kingdom of Gowa-Tallo and other areas in South Sulawesi.

 

Inside the fort area there is also the holding room of Prince Diponegoro. Historically, Prince Diponegoro who led the resistance in the Netherlands between 1825-1830 was eventually arrested after being set up by the colonizer cunning ploy to make the peace agreement. In 1834, Prince Diponegoro was taken to Fort Rotterdam after being exiled to Manado. Inside the sturdy curved-walled prison cell Prince Diponegoro was arrested.

Many people believe the prince finally died in Makassar, but some are mentioned, to avoid conflict remains Netherlands Prince Diponegoro was moved and buried in an undisclosed location.

Very easy to reach the fortress Fort Rotterdam because it is situated in the middle of the city of Makassar. You can use public transportation or taxi to reach this place. No levy any fee for entering the historic fort that is now the mainstay of one of the attractions of South Sulawesi.