Fort Rotterdam
Fort Rotterdam
3.5
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3.5
979 reviews
Excellent
174
Very good
382
Average
348
Poor
61
Terrible
14
mohzan h
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia484 contributions
June 2023 • Friends
Ruins left during the Dutch rule of Sulawasi . Built around 17th century ,located about 500m from Pantai Losari . Just some parts of the lower fort wall left. A small museum, a small Art gallery and an open space used for " events "
Entrance is free , place need a clean up , most probably left unkept during Covid . A short visit suffice.
Entrance is free , place need a clean up , most probably left unkept during Covid . A short visit suffice.
Written 7 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony M
Jakarta, Indonesia641 contributions
Dec 2021 • Couples
One of the best preserved examples of Dutch military buildings within Indonesia, dating back to mid 1600s. Set in manicured grounds, and surrounded by restored/maintained walls - which you can walk all the way around. Also includes a museum. A notable fort for Sulawesi, for the Indonesia/Dutch conflicts, and the source of the original name of Makassar. This said, for me, it lacks some of the authenticity and interest seen in other forts - maybe precisely because it is so well maintained (there is a flower garden in one bastion, eggplants growing in another, and the lawns are perfect).
Written 12 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
indobb
Indonesia108 contributions
Fort Rotterdam's history is impressive- get a local guide to accompany you otherwise you'll miss out on the nuances. Make sure to walk all around the walls to get full experience. Skip the museums inside. On weekends lots of people wanting to practice their English on teh tourists.
Written 23 March 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raymond W
Townsville, Australia4,535 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Fort Rotterdam is definitely one of the oldest and most intact forts in Indonesia. As such, it is certainly Makassar's premier historical site and we would recommend a visit here. The stone walls, Bone Bastion and Dutch-style buildings within the fort are all attractive and well-preserved. However, the fort has maintenance issues which need addressing.
The signboard out front is covered in graffiti, for example. They would be better off just tearing it down at this point. When we climbed up on Bone Bastion, we found it was covered in litter. How long since anyone had collected trash up there? And the park around the walls now has waist-high grass. More effort is needed.
The signboard out front is covered in graffiti, for example. They would be better off just tearing it down at this point. When we climbed up on Bone Bastion, we found it was covered in litter. How long since anyone had collected trash up there? And the park around the walls now has waist-high grass. More effort is needed.
Written 22 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nurulainraz
Singapore, Singapore22 contributions
Feb 2016 • Friends
Fort Rotterdam is a historical monument that greatly touched my heart. I left it with a heavy heart because I couldn't spend more time here. I have Buginese blood and for years have gone not knowing my ancestors nor their history.
However, I learnt it all at the museums in Fort Rotterdam. Display panels are extremely detailed and written in English and bahasa Indonesia, so there is no language barriers for non-natives.
PROS
Do keep a lookout for the boats inside the museum (Yes, frickin boats in a museum!), beautiful bridal outfits and jewelry of the Makassar and Bugis people. Don't forget to take lots of photos. The building itself is magnificent.
Get books and souvenirs at the museum shop, but let your guide do the talking in order to get a good price.
CONS
However, there isn't anyone to bring you around to explain stuff. For me and my friend, our driver-cum-guide did all the explaining. We booked him before we arrived in Makassar. Do bring along a hand fan, put on copious amounts of sunblock and wear a hat. It can be strikingly hot. Museums are airconditioned only at the parts that have the machines. Haha!
However, I learnt it all at the museums in Fort Rotterdam. Display panels are extremely detailed and written in English and bahasa Indonesia, so there is no language barriers for non-natives.
PROS
Do keep a lookout for the boats inside the museum (Yes, frickin boats in a museum!), beautiful bridal outfits and jewelry of the Makassar and Bugis people. Don't forget to take lots of photos. The building itself is magnificent.
Get books and souvenirs at the museum shop, but let your guide do the talking in order to get a good price.
CONS
However, there isn't anyone to bring you around to explain stuff. For me and my friend, our driver-cum-guide did all the explaining. We booked him before we arrived in Makassar. Do bring along a hand fan, put on copious amounts of sunblock and wear a hat. It can be strikingly hot. Museums are airconditioned only at the parts that have the machines. Haha!
Written 20 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Idam007
Jakarta, Indonesia226 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
Located at center of Makassar, this attraction is interesting to be visited. Fort Rotterdam has very sad history from local people side, when they have war against the Dutch colonialist. It is a Dutch fort built on top of an existing fort of the Gowa Kingdom. Inside the fort, is a small museum called La Galigo. La Galigo provides information about Gowa-Tallo Kingdom. It has very nice collection but need to be improved on its decoration and maintenance. The fort is also center of education, especially for learning English. When I was there, at least two groups of English center open their classes there. I love old building, and I think this beautiful fort should be re-arrange or free from other building or houses. Yes, the fort wall has been mixed with wall of local people's house. Need serious attention from local government.
Written 4 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vsomerset
Cape Town, South Africa229 contributions
June 2013 • Solo
This building from the 17th Century is in very good condition, but it is not fully utilized as a tourist attraction, since only part of it is used to tell the story of Makassar, its people and the Dutch colonialism. The displays on the story of Makassar and the spice route is very well done. There is easy access to this location via taxi and you can get a return taxi just outside of the facility.
Go in the morning and then walk along the road to the beach to get a quiet spot for lunch. Or go in the afternoon and stay to watch the sunset around 6 pm.
Go in the morning and then walk along the road to the beach to get a quiet spot for lunch. Or go in the afternoon and stay to watch the sunset around 6 pm.
Written 2 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
woksulaiman
1 contribution
I visited the fort today (04 Sept 2012) and was impress with the history related the site but that was it. At the entrance, we were told to register and after registering, we were "quietly advice to donate". I parted with Rp10000 and entered. Just a few step later, a "volunteer" tour guide offered his services. Quiet a knowledgeable person he ran us through the historical facts with ease. The facilty was littered with cigarettes stubs which spoils the site. He "will" lead you to the clay painting shop and aggresively recommends us to buy after the demo by the artist. My advice is, if you dont want to buy the drawing, dont let the artist show you how he draws them. I made the mistake and it cost me Rp200000. The final punch comes from the "volunteer" guide when he tell us right smack in our face his fees is Rp200000. Moral of the whole story is to negotiate the price before doing anything and make very clear what is his role, the duration if the tour and if you ask me, you can skip the guide and just spend about 30 to 45mins touring the whole site.
Happy travel
Happy travel
Written 4 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RLO721
Singapore, Singapore83 contributions
Aug 2012 • Solo
I don't really think there is much to see here- it is probably of more historical significance than of aesthetic appeal. The museums are particularly disappointing - especially for the price (2 museums at 10,000 Rp each, plus a donation to get into the fort). And it's not even a spot of peace and quiet because if you look Western, you are basically guaranteed to be bombarded by people wanting to practice their English and/or take pictures with you. It's charming for a while, but gets tiring very quickly.
Come here only if you really have nothing else to do, but to be honest I think Makassar is actually a nice enough city to walk around aimlessly and absorb the atmosphere. The waterfront area at Losari beach is much more atmospheric and a much better area to chill.
Come here only if you really have nothing else to do, but to be honest I think Makassar is actually a nice enough city to walk around aimlessly and absorb the atmosphere. The waterfront area at Losari beach is much more atmospheric and a much better area to chill.
Written 13 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stefzzz
Jakarta, Indonesia1,958 contributions
Jan 2011
I have been to many museums and historical sites in Indonesia and I never see anything nice like this. Especially for old Dutch colonial buildings. Even Kota Tua is not as nice as this. In my opinion, this place is worth a visit because it is the most well-preserved fort in Indonesia. The buildings are very well taken care off and the museum is fantastic for Indonesian standard.
Written 8 February 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is fort Rotterdam near where the ships berth, and is there other sights near that we can walk to, are there any markets near
Written 23 March 2015
Hi Debbie
the fort is in the central area, near the sea/boardwalk. Its not far from the ships from memory, in any case getting around Makassar is very easy by taxi or the minivan buses which run fixed routes around town. I wouldn't spend more than a day in Makassar. i liked the fort in the heat day as some rooms are air conditioned and the museums are interesting. I'm passing through again in July, but not stopping in Makassar, going north ending up in the Togeans. Transport is easy around Makassar.
Written 24 March 2015
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