1. The Brief History

Somba Opu castle established in the 15^th century (1525 C.E.). This fort was constructed by the ninth king of Gowa Sultanate, Daeng Matanre Karaeng Tumapa‘risi‘ Kallonna (1510-1546 C.E.). The building of the fort was purposed as the castle defense of Gowa Sultanate territories against the Dutch‘s (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie) and the Portuguese colonialists‘ attacks. In the beginning, the earth was the main material in the castle construction. In the period of the tenth Gowa Sultanate, I Manriwagau Daeng Bonto Karaeng Lakiung Tunipallangga Ulaweng (1546-1565 C.E.), the castle then was rebuilt and improved by using brick stones.

In the midst of the sixteenth century, the castle had become trade center in Nusantara. Many foreigners, either coming from Asia or from Europe, visited this fort for trading. In addition, the radical economic improvement of Gowa Sultanate created jealously of the Dutch colonialists in that territory. Therefore, the Dutch colonialists attacked the Gowa Sultanate when it was under the sixteenth ruler of Gowa,  Mallombassi Daeng Mattawang Karaeng Bontomangape or Sultan Hasanuddin. The war of Makassar had taken place at the time. This war was on-and-off during years 1655 to 1669, and Somba Opu fort had ever been controlled by the Dutch colonialists for ten days. Finally, the Dutch colonialists became the winner of this war.

On November 18^th, 1667 C.E, Sultan Hasanuddin had been forced to sign Bongaya treaty as the result of the defeat. The treaty mentioned that all castle defenses had to be ruined, except Ujung Pandang fort (Fort Rotterdam) that functioned as the Dutch‘s settlements and the office of VOC, and Somba Opu castle which is purposed as the center of Gowa Sultanate (article 10 and 11). Besides these articles, there were other articles debilitated indigenous community interests, and mentioned that the only VOC (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie) who had authority to do trading in Makassar by being free from any commercial taxes.

Somba Opu fort, when under the authority of Gowa Sultanate, had ever been blockaded by the Dutch colonialists for a month. On June 24, 1669 C.E., this fort was snatched away by VOC. As a result, the capital of Gowa Sultanate dislocated to Ana‘ Gowa castle in Taenga, beyond the Jeneberang River.

After being attacked, the Somba Opu fort had devastated and awashed by sea wave that continually swept it. In the 1980s, the fort was discovered for the second time by Indonesian researchers. Surprisingly, this fort had not wrecked entirely. In 1990, the ruins of its wall had been excavated, and the part of the constructions had been rebuilt as interesting tourism object that accounted as historical museum in South Sulawesi. In this fort area, there is also a palace of Gowa Sultan

2. The Location

The fort is located at Daeng Tata Street, Makassar, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia.

3. The Description of the Fort

The fort‘s construction is quadrangle, with 2 kilometers in length, 7-8 meters in height, and 1.500 hectares in width. The fort buildings are fenced by thick wall. When the fort was built in 1525 C.E., the basic material was made of the earth. The eleventh king of Gowa Sultanate rebuilt and improved the fort by brick stones. Later sultans then improved this castle with curtain walls and other improvements which can be seen today. The construction of the fort is looked like a turtle when seen from high place.

4. The Social Functions

In the period of Sultan Hasanuddin, this fort was purposed as the governmental administration of Gowa Sultanate. This sultanate had ever become the trade center in the fifteenth century. When Daeng Pammate had appointed as syahbandar in 1538 C.E., Somba Opu fort became economic center of Gowa Sultanate.

In recent times, the fort becomes museum and historical tourism destination. The museum is located in the fort area. It stores many historical heritages of Gowa Sultanate. In the complex of the castle there are adat houses of South Sulawesi and big gun in the Baluwara Agung. This gun is called as “Meriam Anak Bangsa”.  This gun is 6 meters in length and 9.500 kilograms in weight. In deed, in recent days, this fort is not only functioned as museum but also purposed socially for the place of exhibition such as the exhibition of Makassar and South Sulawesi developments. The commoners could also hire this fort for marital ceremonies and others.

(TN/trj/32/11-07)

References :

• Republika, 24 Agustus 2003.
• www.emedia.com.my.
• www.depdagri.go.id.
• www.makassar.go.id.
• www.panyingkul.com.

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