Fort Rotterdam, Historical Building in The Center of Makassar

Idbackpacker.com (Indonesia Backpacker) – My first impression when I was backpacking to Makassar, this city is so jammed. Not much different from some major cities in Java and Bali. Traffic jam seems to be a virus that has spread throughout Indonesia *Lol*. Also this traffic jam in Makassar turns out to be bad sign for me, especially when I visited the Fort Rotterdam. Why?

Beautiful Fort Rotterdam in Makassar, sadly i visit it when the fort is still under renovation

If you try to browse and search for information about tourism in Makassar, Fort Rotterdam will appear in the top list to visit. But unfortunately I was out of luck when I visited Fort Rotterdam, as Fort Rotterdam is being in renovations. Therefore i can’t enjoy  this 17th century historical building fully, because most of its area are limited to visitor.

Fort Rotterdam itself is considered one of the grandest and charming fort in South Sulawesi, according to a note from a source that I found “A New York Times Journalist, Barbara Crossette once described the fort Rotterdam as the best preserved Dutch fort in Asia”, but is it really true? What’s more when I visited the castle and going around the fort, the conditions are quite “messy” or cluttered. Well, perhaps it is because of the renovation of the fort.

Because of the renovation process of Fort Rotterdam, I can’t enjoy the beauty of historical Fort Rotterdam. Also one more thing that makes me a little regret, I can’t visit Lagaligo Museum and narrow custody where Prince Diponegoro is dumped by the Dutch into Sulawesi after being caught in Java. Again… it is because of renovations being done hufhhh…!

Access to the Fort Rotterdam is quite easy, because it is located in the center of Makassar, and many public transportation passing it. You can take a taxi, or “pete – pete” (a car, which is common transportation in makassar. In other part of indonesia often named “angkot”). I hire pete – pete from m-tos (Makassar Townsquare) to the fort at price of IDR 35.000. I rent the whole “pete – pete” because I don’t know the way and route to his Fort Rotterdam. Which turns out quite close and easy from m-tos. Well, a little bit pricey is not bothering me. I dont want to spent too many time for getting lost.

Photo of Fort Rotterdam under renovation

Here I have some tips when visiting Fort Rotterdam for the first time :

• Always check first! Check the status of Fort Rotterdam. You don’t want to dissapointed right? When you arrive, but the fort is being renovated?
• It’s free of charge to enter Fort Rotterdam, but sometime you might be asked by officer to donate some money and sign the guest book. It is not specified the amount you must donate, but I was donated IDR 15.000 at that time.
• Prepare your stamina, although the fort it self aren’t wide enough, you don’t want to get tired quickly right?

Fort Rotterdam Location :

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Happy Adventure, Traveler!!
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