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
Kingdom 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
vocabulary registered
Reconized: dikenal
Landmark: tanda mata
Majesty:keagungan
Stretched: meregangkan
Clay: tanah liat
Occupied: diduduki
Weaponry: persenjataan
Eventually: pada akhirnya
Devastated: merusak
Epic: syair
Please answer these
questions based on the text
1.
What is the other name of benteng?
2.
What is the function of fort Rotterdam
3.
What is the deep meaning of fort sea turtle?
4.
What happened on 1657?
5.
When was the fort Rotterdam established legally?
Please write down the bibliography of Sultan Alauddin and
Sultan Hasanuddin !!
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Sultan Alauddin
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Sultan Hasanuddin
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