A Glimpse of Past Victory of Gowa Royalty - FORT SOMBA OPU

Fort Somba Opu was one of the sturdiest citadels that are ever built by Indonesian. This fort is the witness of Sultan Hassanudin and his people persistency to defend their independence (William Wallace, British Scientist)

(After discovered in 1980 by Indonesia researchers, the wall finally excavated and reconstructed in 1990s to be tourist objects)

One of outer part wall that was successfully excavated. The thickness of wall that was made by brick was approximately 3.6 m and its height was 7 – 8 m.
Fort Somba Opu was built in early 15 century by King Gowa IX, Karaeng Tumapakrisi Kallonna. In 1545, King Gowa X, Karaeng Tunipallangga Ullaweng, was strengthening the wall with stony soil. In the era of Tunijallo, King Gowa XII, the fort was armed with heavy artilleries at every bastion. One of astounding canon was Child of Makassar that was in 9500 weight, 6 m long and 4.14 cm in diameter.

(The only 300m wall that is rediscovered and successfully excavated. The wall of Fort Somba Opu must be demolished as part of Bongaya Treaty that was signed by Sultan Hassanudin in 1667)

Nowadays the height of outer wall is only 2 m because of Dutch’s demolition in 1669 and 400 years of sedimentation from sea. The demolition is happened after 40 days and 40 nights battle with Sultan Hassanudin and his troops.

Fort Somba Opu is located at Sapiria Village, Somba Opu Sub-district, Gowa Regency. It’s only 7 km southern of Karebosi square, zero point of Makassar City. There are no obvious landmarks that separate the fort with citizen houses.  In 1500 hectares wide, the fort, which is merged with its neighborhood, is known as South Sulawesi Miniatures that contains 24 traditional houses from 24 regency and 4 ethnicities such as Bugis, Makassar, Toraja and Mandar. Traditional house from Singkang is converted into Museum Karaeng Pattingalloang.

(Traditional House from Gowa Regency in neglected paradise)

(Traditional House from Toraja Regency in badly needed restoration into its original state)

Traditional house from Gowa Regency and Toraja Regency that badly needed restoration into its glorious condition.

There is no exact opening hour for this borderless citadel but without electricity, tour around the fort can be done during daylight. Tourist can reach this fort using taxi (don’t be confused with Somba Opu street where tourist can buy souvenirs) or Pete-Pete (public minibus) that is stationed +/- 3 km from the fort. Pete-Pete route is Karebosi Square – Cendrawasih Road then change into other Pete-Pete Cendrawasih Road – Daeng Tata Road.

(Without events and good promotion, these traditional houses are another graveyard for Indonesian masterpieces)

Somba Opu is one of fort that part of defense system for Gowa Royalty in 15th - 16th century.

The wall was rediscovered in 1980s by Indonesian researchers and because of it location and extensive territory (1500 ha), Governor South Sulawesi at that time transformed the fort into The Miniature of South Sulawesi that contains 24 traditional houses from 24 Regency in South Sulawesi. One of traditional house, from Singkang Regency, is converted into museum namely Karaeng Pattingallaong ( I will write down about this museum later on).

(Museum Karaeng Pattingalloang. The overlook of glorious Gowa Monarchy in 15th-16th century)

(A glance of Somba Opu in 15th - 16th century. This map is placed at the ceiling of the Museum Karaeng Pattingalloang that can see easily through mirror on the moving desk)

Some part of Somba Opu and Rotterdam are the only fort that survives from demolishment from Dutch administration. Because one of pact from Bongaya Treaty that signed by Sultan Hassanudin in 1667 is demolishment all forts that belong to Gowa Royalty except Rotterdam that was adapted into the base of Dutch administration.

The fort is at Sapiria Village, Somba Opu Sub-district, Gowa Regency (+/- 7 km from Karebosi Square). The opening hour for museum is 9AM - 4PM (local time) and entrance fee is Rp 2,000.- There is no visible marker/landmark for the fort , so it opens during daylight because there is almost no electricity in fort area. ~ By SEKAR CHAMDI