Fort Rotterdam, the Most Iconic Landmark in Makassar

There are many places you can visit and food you can try when you are in Makassar. Here is another interesting historical place that you can visit to understand more about the city’s history and progress. Fort Rotterdam located in the city center is a 17th-century fort in Makassar on the island of South Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is the city’s most iconic landmark.

Fort Rotterdam, Makassar, Trip of Wonders, Wonderful Indonesia

As you can see from the buildings architecture, Fort Rotterdamn has the Dutch influence. This fort was built on top of an existing fort of the Gowa Kingdom with historical traces dating back from the 16th century to colonization by the Dutch. Makassar was once the center of the Dutch Colonial government in Eastern Indonesia.

Fort Rotterdam, Makassar, Trip of Wonders, Wonderful Indonesia

Fort Rotterdam originally was called Benteng or Fort Jum Pandang 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. 

Fort Rotterdam, Makassar, Trip of Wonders, Wonderful Indonesia

Initially, the fort was made from a mixture of Stone and burnt clay, and took the shape of a typical square Portuguese architectural style.

Fort Rotterdam, Makassar, Trip of Wonders, Wonderful Indonesia

The Fort Rotterdam is rectangular in shape, surrounded with 7 meter wall and was equipped with 6 bulwarks, 5 of them are still visible: Bastion Bonie (after the Bone state) to the west, Bastion Boeton (Buton Island) to the northwest, Bastion Batjang (Bacan Islands) to the southwest, Bastion Mandassar to the northeast, and Bastion Amboina (Ambon) to the southeast. The sixth bulwark, Bastion Ravelin, is not visible any longer. Some of the bastions still contain some cannons. It is possible to walk over most of the ramparts.

Fort Rotterdam, Makassar, Trip of Wonders, Wonderful Indonesia

Inside the fort are 13 buildings, 11 of them are 17th-century original buildings of the fort; most are still good in condition. At the very center of the fort is a church building. The fort is now used to held various events. There is a conservatory for music and dance, archive of the city, and a historic and archaeological institute.

Fort Rotterdam, Makassar, Trip of Wonders, Wonderful Indonesia

For those who love to visit historical buildings and understand about the city’s background this iconic landmark Fort Rotterdam in Makassar is worth a visit. You can learn a lot about Sulawesi and the fort houses a decent museum called La Galigo which has exhibitions about history and culture of Sulawesi. A little bit of tips for you when you are getting there, you can take a stroll down the boulevard from Losari Beach to Fort Rotterdam. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

Fort Rotterdam, Makassar, Trip of Wonders, Wonderful Indonesia

Entrance Fee Fort Rotterdam, Makassar:
The entrance fee to Fort Rotterdam, Makassar is Rp10,000 for tourist and Rp5,000 for locals.

How to Get to Fort Rotterdam, Makassar:
Fort Rotterdam is located right in the heart of Makassar, therefore it is easy to get there. You can take the local public transportation pete-pete or angkot or taxi to get to the fort. Or you can walk there, from Losari Beach take a stroll down the boulevard and enjoy the scenery before you reach Fort Rotterdam.

The visit to Fort Rotterdam, the Most Iconic Landmark in Makassar was part of Day 3 Trip of Wonders, Wonderful Indonesia travel itinerary. For more information about #TripOfWonders and #WonderfulIndonesia, please visit Indonesia.Travel Website, Facebook Page and Instagram

9 comments:

  1. Oh beautiful I would love to go back to Indonesia! :D How come the fee is different for tourists and locals though?

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  2. It's beautiful, and somewhere most tourist might miss out if they are not on a tour group or media trip! Did you managed to enter the buildings?

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  3. It is always interesting to visit an old city that shows evidence of a colonial past. The history of the colonial past may not always be pleasant, but the architecture of this past is beautiful to see.

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  4. It's simple and yet so beautiful! I haven't heard of Makassar before. I love seeing architecture and exploring cultural and history rich places. I believe I will love it here if I get the chance to visit.

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  5. Nice to know about this Rotterdam. There's another one near Amsterdam, of course Dutch!! Those letters too, there's a similar one in Amsterdam.

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  6. I would love to go here someday especially if I'm looking for a place to unwind. The whole island looks so relaxing and it's definitely great to learn more about the place's history.

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  7. I've never been to a place like this before, it's quite nice and I love that the whole place seems serene and peaceful. It would be awesome to go here for some R&R! Perfect for solo traveling.

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  8. I'd love to visit Indonesia soon! Tourist spots like Fort Rotterdam is important to visit to know more about the history of the country you're visiting.

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  9. You should have go inside the museum. Its a bit hot inside but there you will see many things about the history and culture of Indonesia. Glad to be part of this trip with you Kelly. See yah soon in MY on Nov.

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