Fort Rotterdam
is one of the main attractions in South Sulawesi. The fort is so
big that it takes a long time to walk around all the fort. The fort lies in
Makassar, making it easier for you to reach it. The fort was built is 1545 by
the 9th king of Gowa, I Manrigau Daeng Bonto Karaeng Lakung Tumapa’risi’
Kallona.
At first, the
building material of the fort is clay, but in the reign of the 14th king of
Gowa, Sultan Alauddin, the material had been replaced by karst derived from
Maros. Visiting the fort will give you a great experience as you can learn many
things from the fort. You can see how this fort was meaningful for the people
of Gowa at that time.
Location
Fort
Rotterdam or sometimes called Benteng Ujung
Pandang by Indonesian was a heritage from the kingdom of Gowa Tallo. The fort
lies right in the middle of Makassar City. Thus, the fort is easily accessed.
When you arrive at South Sulawesi in the airport of Makassar, you can directly
go to the fort by taxi.
There are many public transportation from
many cities to Makassar. Hence, you don’t have to worry about the
transportation if you have a plan to visit the fort. When you arrive at the
fort, you will see a huge fort. You may wonder how the people of Gowa built
such a huge fort.
The walls of the fort is about 5 meters
with the wide of the wall around 2 meters. You can imagine how huge it is. This
is one of the most modern buildings in Gowa derived from ancient time.
Activities
Visiting Fort Rotterdam means that you
will have many historical tourism activities. You can learn about the history
of the fort, the usage of the fort, the public figures of heroes of old time
involved in the fort and many more historical things you can learn. You can
walk around the fort, and try to imagine the old times when the fort is used
for defence.
One of the most
popular objects of this fort is the room used to captivate Prince Diponegoro
when he was exiled by Neatherland. Prince Diponegoro was the leader of
Diponegoro War in 1825-1930. The war was over when Prince Diponegoro was
captured by Neatherland. He was trapped by the Neatherland when he took part in
a peace conference. He was captured and the exiled to Manado and then mover to
this fort in 1834.
Visitors of Fort Rotterdam
can stay in one of the hotels available in Makassar. There are many big hotels
you can select. For example, Aston Makassar Hotel & Convention Center,
Hotel Aryaduta Makassar, Grand Clarion Hotel and Convention, Hotel
Santika Makassar and Hotel Horison Makassar. The hotels provide complete
facilities for visitors. They offer comfort for visitors. Hence, no matter
which hotel you select, all of them provide the best service for visitors.
Fort Rotterdam
should be included in your travel plan when you are in South Sulawesi as you
can learn many historical things.
Pictures taken
from www.fotomakassar.blogspot.com
