Donggala Old Town Area

Traces of Maritime Glory: Exploring the Donggala Old Town Area

The Donggala Old Town Area stands as a silent witness to the glory of maritime trade on the western coast of Sulawesi Island. Located in Donggala Regency, Central Sulawesi, this area is not just a collection of old buildings, but an artifact of colonial urban planning that once served as the most important economic center in Palu Bay before its role gradually shifted to Palu City. Exploring Donggala Old Town means reopening the pages of history about spice routes, Dutch colonial power, and tenacious local resistance.

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Origins and Establishment: Central Sulawesi's Main Gateway

The history of the Donggala Old Town Area is deeply rooted in its strategic geographical position. In the 19th century, Donggala served as the main port for the Banawa Kingdom. Due to its natural deep waters and protection from large waves, the Dutch East Indies colonial government, through the Koninklijke Paketvaart Maatschappij (KPM), designated Donggala as a primary stopover port on international trade shipping routes.

Formal city development began when the Dutch established Donggala as the administrative center of the Afdeeling Midden Celebes (Central Sulawesi Region) in the early 20th century. This status made Donggala a distribution point for export goods such as copra, rattan, and sandalwood to European and East Asian markets. It was here that urban infrastructure began to be built, separating the port area, European residential areas, and local settlements.

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Architecture and Construction Details: Coastal Acculturation

The architectural characteristics of the Donggala Old Town Area display a unique blend of Indische Empire style, functional colonial style, and local influences. Buildings in this area generally have thick walls made of sturdy red brick with high ceilings for optimal air circulation in the hot coastal region.

One prominent characteristic is the use of very large windows and doors with teak wood ornamentation. Many buildings still retain their original structures, such as large pillars at the front (verandas). In addition to concrete buildings, there are also wooden stilt houses belonging to Bugis and Arab merchants who settled there for trade. Building materials such as tiles (tegel) and some metal components were reportedly imported directly from Europe via KPM ships, adding a touch of luxury in its time amidst the Sulawesi wilderness.

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Historical Significance and Important Events

Donggala was not only a trade center but also an administrative and military hub. This area witnessed the signing of various treaties between local rulers (Kings of Banawa) and the Dutch government. An important event recorded is Donggala's role as a logistics base during the political turmoil in the early days of Indonesian independence.

During the Japanese occupation, this area was a target of air raids due to its function as a strategic port. After independence, Donggala continued to play an important role until the 1960s before large port activities were eventually transferred to Pantoloan Port due to silting in Donggala Bay. This decline in economic activity tragically caused the area to seem "frozen in time," preserving its buildings from demolition for modernization.

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Related Figures and Historical Periods

Great names like King Lamarauna of the Banawa Kingdom are closely associated with the history of this area. He was known as a leader who had to engage in complex diplomacy with the Dutch to protect his people's sovereignty amidst colonial pressure. Furthermore, the presence of ancient tombs and mosques around the old town indicates the strong influence of Hadrami (Yemeni) traders who spread Islam in this region.

Donggala's golden period occurred between 1900 and the 1950s. During this time, Donggala was known as a cosmopolitan "Port City," where Malay, Dutch, Bugis, and Kaili languages mingled in the markets and docks. The existence of large warehouses belonging to Dutch companies like Internatio and Borsumij is proof of the significant financial turnover in this area at that time.

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Preservation and Restoration Efforts

Currently, the Donggala Old Town Area faces serious preservation challenges. Many buildings have suffered damage due to age, extreme coastal weather, and the impact of natural disasters, including the 2018 earthquake and tsunami that struck Central Sulawesi. Although some buildings have structural damage, the original facades of this old town remain as the region's identity.

The Donggala Regency Government, along with the Cultural Preservation Center (BPK), continues to strive for revitalization. Steps taken include cataloging cultural heritage buildings, improving road infrastructure in the old town area, and promoting it as a historical tourism destination. Local community awareness is also growing, with some old houses being converted into cafes or creative spaces without losing their historical value.

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Cultural and Religious Significance

For the people of Central Sulawesi, especially the Kaili and Banawa ethnic groups, Donggala Old Town is a symbol of pride. This area represents a time when they were major players in the global trade network. Religiously, this area also became an entry point for various religious influences through the port, which is evident in the architecture of the old mosques around the area that have touches of Middle Eastern and Nusantara architecture.

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Unique Historical Facts

One unique fact about Donggala Old Town is the existence of an ancient underground drainage system built by the Dutch, which in its time was considered one of the most sophisticated in Sulawesi. Additionally, Donggala was once proposed as the capital of Central Sulawesi province before Palu was ultimately chosen due to considerations of wider land availability for modern city development.

Another uniqueness is the "Rumah Gantung" (Hanging House), a building structure that juts out into the sea, which once served as an office for monitoring ship traffic. Although many are now ruins, their remnants remain a reminder of how busy Donggala's waters were in the past.

The Donggala Old Town Area is a historical gem that must be preserved. Its existence offers valuable lessons on how a city grows from inter-nation interactions, honest trade, and resilience in the face of changing times. Through sustainable preservation, Donggala is expected to shine again, not as a trading port, but as a world-class center for education and historical tourism.