Benteng Kapahaha

Benteng Kapahaha is a stone fortification on elevated ground in mountainous terrain with defensive walls that follow the natural topography. The remains contain ancient burial grounds and household artifacts from earlier times.

The fort developed during a period of growing European presence and became a site of local resistance against Dutch expansion. It fell in 1646 after local leaders under Captain Telukabessy fought against occupation for several years.

The site shows local building traditions, especially through four ancestral houses called Rumah Tau that shape how the community lives together. These structures reflect the way people here have organized their life across generations.

The site is best explored on foot, as the hilltop location offers good views of the surroundings. Local guides from nearby villages help explain the site and locate different areas.

Some of the captured residents received a special name after the fort fell that preserved their experience during that time. This name refers to the destruction of the place by fire and recalls the events of that year.