Lohayong Fort

The Traces of Dominicans and Portuguese in Solor: The Historical Narrative of Lohayong Fort

Lohayong Fort, historically known as Fort Henricus (Fortaleza de Henrique), is one of the oldest and most significant colonial monuments in the Solor Islands region, East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. Located on the coast of Lohayong Village, this site bears silent witness to the early phase of European expansion in the archipelago, the power struggles between religious orders, and the dynamics of the spice trade in eastern Indonesia.

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Origins and Period of Establishment

The genesis of Lohayong Fort is inseparable from the missionary efforts of the Dominican Order (OP) from Portugal. Around 1561, Dominican friars began establishing settlements on Solor Island as a base for spreading Catholicism in the Flores region and its surroundings. Permanent fort construction began in 1566 under the supervision of Father Antonio da Cruz.

Initially, this structure was erected as a protection for missionaries and local residents who had converted from attacks by groups opposing the Portuguese presence, as well as threats from pirates. The name "Henricus" was given in honor of the then King of Portugal. The presence of this fort marked Solor as a Portuguese administrative and military center in the Lesser Sunda Islands before the center of power later shifted to Larantuka and then to Dili, Timor.

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Architecture and Construction Details

Architecturally, Lohayong Fort reflects the style of 16th-century European defensive forts adapted with local materials. The fort was built using a mixture of coral stone, mountain stone, and traditional mortar made from a blend of lime, sand, and egg whites. This construction proved to be very sturdy, capable of withstanding centuries in a corrosive coastal climate.

The fort's basic plan is rectangular with bastions at its corners that served as cannon emplacements. The walls have significant thickness, designed to withstand the bombardment from warships. Within the fort complex, there were once a chapel, an armory, logistical rooms, and residences for friars and military commanders. Although most of the structure is now in ruins, the remaining foundations and parts of the outer walls still showcase the grandeur of Portuguese civil engineering of its time.

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Historical Significance and Key Events

Lohayong Fort holds immense historical value due to its position as the "gateway" for Western influence in the Nusa Tenggara region. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Solor was a vital transit point for the sandalwood trade originating from Timor Island. Whoever controlled Lohayong automatically controlled the highly valuable fragrant wood trade route in the global market.

This site also witnessed prolonged conflicts between the Portuguese and the Dutch (VOC). In 1613, the VOC fleet under the command of Apollonius Schotte successfully captured the fort from the Portuguese after an intense siege. The Dutch then renamed the fort Fort Henricus. However, Dutch control was not smooth; local rebellions and Portuguese counter-attacks led to the fort changing hands several times until it was finally permanently abandoned in the 18th century as the economic value of sandalwood in Solor declined.

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Associated Figures and Periods

Several key figures associated with this site include Father Antonio da Cruz, the initial architect, and the Portuguese captains who defended the fort. On the Dutch side, the name Apollonius Schotte is recorded in history as the first conqueror of this fort for the VOC.

The golden age of Lohayong Fort occurred between 1566 and 1646. During this period, Lohayong was not only a military center but also a hub for education and culture. It was here that the tradition of writing and historical record-keeping in the East Flores region began by Dominican friars who diligently sent reports (annuae) to their order's headquarters in Goa, India, or to Lisbon, Portugal.

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Cultural and Religious Dimensions

For the people of East Flores, especially on Solor Island, Lohayong Fort is a symbol of identity. This site marks the initial entry point of Catholicism, which is now the majority religion in the region. Although the current community of Lohayong is predominantly Muslim, the existence of this fort is still respected as an ancestral heritage that shows Solor was once a meeting point of global civilizations.

There is a sociological uniqueness where the Muslim community around the fort actively preserves the site as part of their collective history. This reflects the "Lamaholot" spirit that upholds interfaith brotherhood in East Flores. The fort also serves as a reminder of the historical connections between Solor, Larantuka, and Malacca.

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Preservation and Restoration Status

Currently, Lohayong Fort is designated as a Cultural Heritage Site protected by law. The physical condition of the fort is indeed concerning due to age and natural factors. Most of the walls have collapsed and are covered by vegetation, but some parts of the bastions still stand tall.

Preservation efforts have been undertaken by the Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) Region XV. Archaeological excavations are occasionally conducted to find artifacts such as Chinese ceramics, cannonballs, and remnants of colonial household items that can provide deeper insights into daily life within the fort. The local government continues to strive to promote Lohayong Fort as a premier historical tourism destination to raise public awareness of the importance of preserving this world heritage.

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Unique Historical Facts

One rarely known unique fact is that Lohayong Fort once served as a refuge for Portuguese-Malay populations (Topasses or "Larantuqueiros") during internal conflicts in the region. Furthermore, the fort's defense system was once considered one of the strongest in the eastern hemisphere in the late 16th century, before more advanced Dutch cannon technology could penetrate it. The existence of this fort also indirectly triggered a large-scale migration of Solor residents to Larantuka, which later gave birth to the famous Semana Santa procession tradition to this day.

With all the narratives surrounding it, Lohayong Fort is more than just a pile of old coral stones. It is a monument of resilience, a center for the dissemination of faith, and a harbor where the interests of great nations converged in the past, shaping the face of modern East Flores.