Rotterdam Fort

Rotterdam Fort: Silent Witness to Gowa's Glory and the Center of Colonialism in the Eastern Nusantara

Rotterdam Fort, or locally known as Benteng Panyua, stands firmly on the west coast of Makassar City as the most well-preserved historical monument in South Sulawesi. This site is not merely a pile of stones and cement, but a long narrative encompassing the golden age of local kingdoms, the era of colonial conquest, to its transformation into a center of modern culture.

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Origins and Founding: From Panyua to Rotterdam

The history of Rotterdam Fort began in 1545, under the reign of the 9th King of Gowa, Daeng Matanre Karaeng Tumapa'risi' Kallonna. Initially, this fort was named Benteng Panyua (Turtle), a name referring to the fort's physical shape resembling a turtle about to crawl down to the sea. The choice of the turtle shape was not without reason; in the philosophy of the Gowa Kingdom, the turtle is a symbol of glory on land and sea, reflecting Makassar's respected maritime power throughout the Nusantara.

Originally, the fort's structure was made only from a mixture of clay and white stone. However, during the reign of the 14th King of Gowa, Sultan Alauddin, the fort's construction was improved using black coral stone brought from the Maros region. This fort was one of 17 defense forts owned by the Gowa-Tallo Kingdom in an effort to protect their territory from foreign expansion.

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Architecture and Construction Details

Architecturally, Rotterdam Fort presents a unique blend of Makassar's local design and European Renaissance modifications. After falling into Dutch hands through the Bungaya Treaty in 1667, Governor-General Cornelis Speelman ordered its reconstruction. He named it "Fort Rotterdam" in honor of his hometown in the Netherlands.

The fort has five prominent main bastions: Bastion Bone, Bastion Bacan, Bastion Buton, Bastion Mandarsyah, and Bastion Amboina. The fort walls have a thickness of up to 2 meters with an average height of 5 to 7 meters. Within the fort complex, Dutch-style buildings stand with high gabled roofs and large windows, serving as spice warehouses, administrative offices, and residences for VOC officials. One of its construction peculiarities is the use of local materials like egg whites as stone adhesive in the early period, before modern cement technology was introduced by the Dutch.

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Historical Significance and Important Events

Rotterdam Fort was the focal point of major conflicts in Eastern Indonesia. The most decisive event was the Makassar War (1666-1669), where VOC troops led by Cornelis Speelman, assisted by his ally Arung Palakka from Bone, besieged this fort. Sultan Hasanuddin's defeat forced the signing of the Bungaya Treaty, which effectively ended the Gowa Kingdom's trade sovereignty and initiated the VOC's monopoly in the eastern region.

During the colonial period, the fort served as the center of Dutch governance in Celebes (Sulawesi). During the Japanese occupation (1942-1945), the fort's function shifted to a center for agricultural science and language research. After independence, this place was briefly used by the TNI before finally being handed over to the civilian government to be managed as a cultural heritage site.

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Important Figures and Traces of Struggle

The most iconic figure closely associated with Rotterdam Fort is Prince Diponegoro. After being captured through treachery in Magelang in 1830, the leader of the Java War was exiled to Manado before finally being moved to Rotterdam Fort in 1833.

Prince Diponegoro spent the rest of his life—for 22 years—as a prisoner in one of the rooms in Bastion Buton. It was here that he wrote his thoughts and spent his time in worship until his death on January 8, 1855. The existence of Prince Diponegoro's cell remains a major historical attraction for tourists who wish to experience the aura of the national hero's struggle.

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Preservation Status and Restoration Efforts

Currently, Rotterdam Fort is managed by the Cultural Preservation Center Region XIX. Its status as a National Cultural Heritage makes it one of the best-preserved colonial building complexes in Southeast Asia. Major restoration was carried out in the 1970s to restore the original form of the buildings that had been damaged by age and weather.

Today, the buildings within the fort have been creatively repurposed. The former spice warehouse buildings now house the La Galigo State Museum. This museum stores over 5,000 artifact collections, ranging from ancient agricultural tools, traditional clothing, to ancient manuscripts of Sureq Galigo, which is recognized as a Memory of the World by UNESCO.

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Cultural and Social Role in the Modern Era

Rotterdam Fort has transformed from a symbol of conquest into an inclusive public space. Culturally, the fort is a regular venue for international festivals, such as the Makassar International Writers Festival (MIWF). The presence of literary and art events in this place breathes new life into the fort's old walls, bridging a dark past with a creative future.

For the people of South Sulawesi, Rotterdam Fort is a reminder of resilience. Although its name sounds European, the soul of this place remains "Panyua"—a symbol of protection and strength that endures through time. Its presence amidst the hustle and bustle of modern Makassar City serves as an important reminder for the younger generation about the importance of preserving historical identity amidst the currents of globalization.

With its grand architecture and layered history, Rotterdam Fort still stands tall. It is not just a tourist attraction, but a history laboratory where we can learn about diplomacy, war strategies, and the spirit of the Indonesian nation's resistance in reclaiming its sovereignty.