Still well preserved
Located in a strategic area, Fort Rotterdam has characteristics that other forts do not have. The structure has two-meter-thick walls and towering up to five meters.
It looks majestic, with an arched gate. At the center of the fort is a large signage that reads “Fort Rotterdam.” When viewed from a height, the fort looks like a turtle crawling towards the sea.
Even though it is already hundreds of years old, the fort still stands strong. Upon entrance, one will be enchanted by the elegant European architecture that adorn it, and it is still very well maintained.
There are at least 16 European-style buildings that surround the inner walls of the fort. All the roofs are shaped in saddle with a sharp slope and have many doors and windows. One can also see a beautiful green garden in the middle of the fort. The grass is kept neat and tidy, and the lawn looks clean.
Now Fort Rotterdam is a famous tourist destination in Makassar City. It sits in an area of 2.5 hectares, excluding 16 buildings on 11,605.85 square meters land. Several buildings in Fort Rotterdam used as museums are under the management of the South Sulawesi Cultural Heritage Preservation Agency office. (Dra)