South Sulawesi

Municipalities and Districts

Benteng Ujung Pandang(Fort Rotterdam)

Benteng Ujung Pandang (Fort Rotterdam) is a historical remain of a former mighty kingdom in Sulawesi. Sulawesi's most powerful and prosperous kingdom in 17th century was Gowa, whose capital was nearby Ujung Pandang, formerly known as Makassar. Makassar at the time, viewed from the sea as a fortified city. The kingdom had 17 fortresses to protect its capital and surrounding areas. In 1667 when the mighty Gowa was defeated by the Dutch all the fortresses were destroyed, but Benteng Somba Opu and Benteng Ujung Pandang, the former, then, two years later was totally destroyed again by the Dutch.

Benteng Ujung Pandang was initially built in 1545 by the tenth King of Gowa, I Manriogai Daeng Bonto Karaeng Lakiung also known as Karaeng 
Tunipalangga Ulaweng. The basic shape of the fortress was quadrangular of Portuguese architecture and made of clay of the same model of the 16th and 17th century of European fortresses. The fort with additional protrusion on the basic shape, looks like a turtle. Some sources say that the shape as turtle symbolizing the kingdom of Gowa as a seafaring kingdom and the fortress as a protector of the capital.

During the occupation of the Dutch, the fortresswas rebuild and renamed as Fort Rotterdam. At the time the fort became the center of government and trade. During the occupation of Japan the fort functioned as the center of agricultural and language studies.

Today the buildings in the fort contains the Historical and Archeological Institute, Conservatory of Dance and Music, Art Development Services, and the State Museum.

The museum displays the province's history, manuscripts, statues ceramics, traditional customs and other cultural materials of all ethnic groups in South Sulawesi and Tourist Information Service.
This place is located at about 1 km away from Losari Beach, and it can be reached by public transportation.