FORT ROTTERDAM (BENTENG UJUNG PANDANG)

Fort Rotterdam not only contain some interesting buildings, an arts century an the “La Galigo” museum but also provides a quiet haven away from parts or town. In the late afternoon and evening you can often find young people playing music or rehearsing for theatre performance.

The King of Gowa built the fort in 1545. After other forts in the area were destroyed in 1669, Fort Rotterdam was taken over by Dutch. In 1937 lost its military function and was handed over to the Fort Rotterdam Foundation for cultura purposes.

Art and Craft

Sulawesi silk famous throughout Indonesia. The natural silk is processed into yarn in Soppeng, and in Bone but the weaving is mainly a cottage industry. Farm women are seen with their short looms weaving silks of brilliant colours after their return form the field in the afternoon. They are made in lengths of two meters for sarongs and can be found in shops in Ujung Pandang.

Kendari silver is made in Ujung Pandang and not in the town of Kendari in Southeast Sulawesi. The delicate filigree work is fashioned into jewellery, table ornaments like pinisi schooners, Toraja houses, etc.

SOUTH SULAWESI

South Sulawesi province comprises the narrow southwestern peninsula of this orchid-shaped island, which is mainly mountainous. The seafaring Bugis dominant the southern tip, whereas the northern part of South Sulawesi is inhabited by the Torajas whose unique culture rivals that of the Balinese. Famed for their seafaring heritage and Pinisi schooners for centuries, the Bugis posses to the present day one of the last sailing fleets in the world.

A Brief of the Fort of Ujung Pandang

The fort was first built in 1545 during the reign of Gowa King X, Imanrigau Dg. Bonto Karaeng Lakiung entitled as Karaeng Tunipallangga. At first, the walls of the for still used clay (A Kind of Soil), later 1634 the walls were then rebuilt by using stone following the order of Gowa King XIV Imanggarani Dg. Manrabia Sultan Alauddin. After the Bungaya Treaty, November 18, 1667. The fort was handed over to the Dutch Company and renamed as “Fort Rottrdam”.