BENTENG SOMBA OPU

Somba Opu

Baruga Somba Opu

Source: Personal Documentation

Next trip is Somba Opu Castle. If you search in google, this place must be in our bucket list destination. It still in South Sulawesi, located in Gowa district, not far from the city of Makassar (seriously is not far away from my place, less than 1 hour and I just use Waze application and of curse my office’s motorbike).

Before arriving at the destination, I thought this castle more or less the same as Fort Rotterdam. Clean, well-groomed and maintained. But when I arrived at the location, it was not as expected as I thought. But, for sure it's worth to come here. Why?

Because the castle is different from the Fort Rotterdam. There is still a typical building of Sulawesi, which is clearly visible here. There are also several examples of the traditional house of South Sulawesi (Looks like Taman Mini Indonesia Indah) and museum too. (You can find many pokemons, for those who play Pokemon Go, hehe)

Traditional House of Luwu

Source: Personal Documentation

Source: Personal Documentation

Somba Opu is established by Daeng Matanre Karaeng Tumpa'risi 'Kallona which is the 9th King of Gowa Gowa in the 16th century. Based on history, the castle was once the main strongholds of the Kingdom of Gowa. And in trading era, Somba Opu has important roles as the center of the spice trading and the port. But unfortunately, when Somba Opu is controlled by the VOC, this castle destroyed and submerged by a tidal wave

*Entrance fee Rp 5.000,00

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Benteng Somba Opu

Next trip masih dalam wisata tempat-tempat sejarah di Sulawesi Selatan, saya berkunjung ke Benteng Somba Opu. Terletak di Kabupaten Gowa yang tidak jauh dari Kota Makassar (Seriusan ga jauh, dari kosan ga sampe 1 jam dan hanya bermodalkan Waze serta motor kantor).

Sebelum sampai ditujuan, dibenak saya mengira benteng ini kurang lebih sama seperti Fort Rotterdam. Bersih, terawat dan terjaga. Namun ketika sampai di lokasi ternyata tidak seperti ekspektasi yang saya perkirakan sebelumnya. But, it’s worth to come here. Kenapa ?

Karena benteng ini berbeda dengan Fort Rotterdam. Masih terdapat bangunan khas Sulawesi yang jelas terlihat di sini. Terdapat juga beberapa contoh rumah adat daerah Sulawesi Selatan dan museum (banyak pokemonnya juga, buat yang main Pokemon Go).

Benteng Somba Opu didirikan oleh Daeng Matanre Karaeng Tumapa’risi’ Kallona yang merupakan Raja Gowa ke-9 Kesultanan Gowa pada abad ke-16. Berdasarkan sejarah, benteng ini dulunya merupakan benteng utama Kerajaan Gowa. Dan pada zaman perdagangan, Benteng Somba Opu pernah menjadi pusat perdagangan rempah-rempah dan juga pelabuhan. Namun sayang, ketika Benteng Somba Opu ini dikuasai oleh VOC, benteng ini dihancurkan dan terendam oleh ombak pasang.