Fort Rotterdam, Military fort and museum in Makassar, Indonesia
Fort Rotterdam is a fortified complex with five bastions connected by high stone walls and containing original 17th-century buildings. Inside, the structures tell the story of eastern Indonesia's maritime past and house a museum with historical collections.
The Gowa Kingdom built the fort in 1545 as a strategic trading post in the region. Dutch forces captured it in 1667 and made it the center of their military control over eastern Indonesia.
The La Galigo Museum displays prehistoric megaliths, ancient weapons, and coins from across the Sulawesi region. These objects tell the story of trade routes and daily life in this part of Indonesia.
You can walk the ramparts, examine old cannons, and visit the museum to see the collection displayed. Early morning is the best time to visit, as the tropical heat can be intense during the day.
The Javanese resistance leader Prince Diponegoro spent his final years imprisoned in one of the southwestern bastions until his death. This story remains visible in the fort today and marks an important moment in the region's past.
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