Fort van den Bosch, Dutch colonial fortress in Pelem, Indonesia
Fort van den Bosch is a Dutch colonial fortress in Pelem, measuring 165 meters by 80 meters across 15 hectares at the confluence of the Bengawan Solo and Madiun Rivers. The site contains multiple structures and exhibits displaying artifacts from the Indonesian independence movement.
The Dutch military built the fortress in 1845 to house 250 soldiers and monitor trade routes following their capture of Ngawi in 1825. The structure represented an important step in consolidating colonial control over the region.
The fort earned its local name Benteng Pendem from the sunken design that placed the structure below the surrounding ground level, making it a distinctive landmark in the area.
The fort sits roughly 1.5 kilometers northeast of Ngawi Government Office and is surrounded by green spaces and waterways. Wear comfortable shoes as the grounds are uneven, and the paths can become slippery during rain.
Within the fortress walls stands the tomb of Kyai Haji Muhammad Nursalim, a local resistance fighter who opposed Dutch colonial forces in the region. This burial site serves as a reminder of the armed resistance that took place here.
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