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Standing majestically at the western coast of Makassar,
Fort Rotterdam is recognized as the city’s most iconic landmark. With
historical traces dating back to the Kingom of Gowa from the 16thth
century to colonization by the Dutch, this Fort has silently witnessed
many episodes in Makassar’s history, playing a most essential role in
its development.
Its magnificence and authenticity has
always captivated those who set eyes on it. A journalist from New York
Times, Barbara Crossette even described it as “the best preserved Dutch
Fort in Asia”.
Originally called Benteng or
Fort Jumpandang or Ujung Pandang, the huge complex was first built in
1545 in the era of Imanrigau Daeng Bonto Karaeng Lakiung or Karaeng
Tunipalangga Ulaweng, the tenth King of Gowa. Initially, the fort was
made from a mixture of Stone and burnt clay, and took the shape of a
typical square Portuguese architectural style.
During the reign of Sultan Alauddin, the 14th
king of Gowa, the fort’s construction material was replaced with black
Karst, rocks from the mountain sides of the district of Maros. The fort
was also expanded and took on a new shape resembling a sea turtle, thus
the fort gained a new name, namely : Benteng Pannyua (Penyu) or
Fort Sea turtle. The shape is not only unique, but also contains deep
meaning. For just as a sea turtle lives both on land and at sea, the
glory of the Gowa Kingdom also stretched on land as well as over the
seas.
Indeed, the Bugis were then a recognized and respected power all across the Indonesian seas even to the Straits of Malacca
Between 1655 to 1669, Dutch forces
attacked the Gowa Sultanate, which at the time was under the rule of
Sultan Hasanuddin. The city’s strategic location made it an ideal place
to fully control the spice trade passage, and to become the starting
point that would eventually open up the route to the seas of Banda and
Maluku, the original Spice Islands.
Led by Dutch Governor General Admiral
Cornelis Janszoon Speelman, Dutch forces launched a massive attack on
Makassar for a full year. At this time, major parts of the Fort were
devastated as the Dutch began to occupy the land. As a result of the
defeat, the Sultan of Gowa was forced to sign the Bongaya treaty that
gave the Dutch authorities full control over Makassar’s trade.
Governor General Speelman subsequently
rebuilt parts of the fort that were destroyed. Not only applying Dutch
distinct style to the structure, but Speelman added another bastion at
its west side. The fort was later renamed after Speelman’s hometown:
Rotterdam. The fort grew to be the center for stockpiling of spices and
an important Entrepot. Eventually this led to Makassar becoming the
center of the Dutch Colonial government in Eastern Indonesia.
In 1938 Dutch authorities established the first ever Museum in South Sulawesi, namely the Celebes Museum,
located within the complex of Fort Rotterdam itself. Initially the
museum occupied building no. 2 only, which was once the residence of
Admiral Speelman. Its collection came from various excavations that
included ceramics, currencies, gold and jewelries, and others.
By the time of the Japanese occupied
Makassar during World War II, the Celebes Museum already occupied three
buildings of the complex. To its collection were added wooden tools,
several types of ships, farming equipment, house ware, musical
instruments, weaponry, and many others.
After the War, the museum was officially re-established in 1970, bearing the name by which it is known today, namely: Museum La Galigo. La Galigo was the Pajung Lolo or Prince of the Luwu Kingdom in the 14th century who was also the son of Sawerigading Opunna Ware, a legendary Bugis hero. The name also refers to the famous I La Galigo,
the world’s longest epic poem. Exhibiting various collections from the
early Celebes Museum as well as other additions including the collection
of the kingdom of Sawito, Wajo, Mandar, Luwu, Bone and others, the
present Museum occupies building no.2 and no.10 within the Fort
Rotterdam complex.
For Information contact:
FORT ROTTERDAM and MUSEUM LA GALIGO
Jl. Ujung Pandang no.2 Makassar
Jl. Ujung Pandang no.2 Makassar
Phone: 0411-321305
Please Click "Email" For Making Reservation !
IQRA' Tour Organizer
Makassar - South Sulawesi
Indonesia
Indonesia
E~mail: Adventure.Sulawesi@yahoo.co.uk
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