Martello Fort Pulau Kelor

Origins and Historical Context

The construction of Martello Fort on Pulau Kelor cannot be separated from the global political dynamics of the 18th and 19th centuries. The name "Martello" itself refers to a defensive tower design inspired by the tower at Mortella Point, Corsica. When the British successfully repelled French forces using that tower, this design was subsequently adopted by various navies worldwide, including the Dutch.

The fort on Pulau Kelor was built by the Dutch colonial government in 1850. This construction was part of a circular defense system (ring) to protect Batavia from enemy warship attacks, especially from the British, who were then the main rivals of the Dutch in Asian waters. Pulau Kelor, geographically located very strategically close to Pulau Onrust and Pulau Cipir, was chosen as the foremost defense point due to its position capable of directly monitoring ship navigation routes towards Sunda Kelapa harbor.

Architectural and Construction Characteristics

Architecturally, Martello Fort Pulau Kelor possesses a uniqueness that distinguishes it from mainland forts in Java. The fort is circular in shape with a diameter of approximately 14 meters. Its main structure is built using high-quality red bricks bonded with a mixture of lime and sand, creating very thick and sturdy walls to withstand cannon fire.

This cylindrical design is not merely aesthetic but a military strategy. The round shape allows cannons placed at the top of the fort to rotate 360 degrees, providing a firing range in all directions without dead angles. In the center of the fort, there is a large concrete pillar that serves as a structural support and a pivot for the heavy cannon rotation mechanism.

One unique fact about this construction is the use of local materials combined with European technology. Although the red bricks were mass-produced in Java, the technical design followed modern coastal defense standards of its time. Narrow loopholes in the fort's walls were designed in such a way that soldiers inside could fire safely without being exposed to counter-attacks from outside.

Historical Significance and Important Events

Pulau Kelor and its Martello Fort played a vital role in the "Pulau Onrust dkk" defense system. In its heyday, the fort functioned as a watchtower and coastal defense battery. If any suspicious foreign ships approached Batavia, this fort would send a warning signal to Pulau Onrust, which was the main Dutch ship logistics and repair base.

Besides its military function, Pulau Kelor also holds a dark history related to public health. Along with Pulau Cipir and Pulau Onrust, this area was once used as a quarantine site for infectious diseases. Although Martello Fort is a defensive structure, its surrounding environment bears witness to humanity's struggle against outbreaks of plague and cholera brought by foreign merchant ships.

An important event often associated with this location is the devastating eruption of Mount Krakatau in 1883. The tsunami waves generated by the eruption hit the Thousand Islands archipelago with tremendous force. Martello Fort on Pulau Kelor suffered severe damage from this natural disaster. Most of the upper walls collapsed, leaving the structure we now see as an exotic ruin. This is why Martello Fort on Pulau Kelor appears "cut off" compared to similar forts on Pulau Bidadari, which are relatively more intact.

Related Figures and Periods

This fort is closely associated with the defense policies of Governor-General Van den Bosch and Dutch military engineers in the mid-19th century. During this period, the Dutch were trying to reassert their grip on the archipelago after the end of the British occupation (1811-1816). The construction of this fort reflects Dutch fears of the return of British naval power to Javanese waters.

In the modern era, Pulau Kelor is also known in Indonesian popular culture history. The beauty of the fort's ruins once served as a wedding venue for top celebrity couples, which indirectly increased public awareness of this historical site as a heritage tourism destination.

Preservation and Current Status

Currently, Martello Fort Pulau Kelor is designated as a Protected Cultural Heritage under the management of the Unit Pengelola Museum Kebaharian Jakarta. Conservation efforts are continuously undertaken to prevent further damage from seawater abrasion and weather factors. Given its location on a small, low-lying island, the government has built wave-breaking dikes around the island to protect the remaining foundations of the fort from being eroded by the waves of Jakarta Bay.

Regular site cleaning and maintenance are carried out with the principle of preserving the original form of the ruins. There are no efforts to rebuild the collapsed sections in order to maintain the historical and aesthetic value of the "ruin" which is its main attraction. Visitors coming here can see the remnants of ammunition storage rooms and the circular structure that still stands strong despite being over a century and a half old.

Conclusion and Cultural Value

Martello Fort Pulau Kelor is more than just a pile of red bricks. It is a symbol of resilience, past military technology, and a reminder of Jakarta's strategic position in the global trade arena. For the Indonesian people, this site is an open history laboratory to learn how defensive architecture evolved and how nature (through the Krakatau eruption) could alter the historical landscape in an instant.

Its presence in the middle of the sea with the distant backdrop of Jakarta's skyscrapers creates a dramatic contrast between the past and the future. Preserving Martello Fort means safeguarding the nation's collective memory of the long journey of maritime history in the archipelago.