Somba Opu "The Strongest Fortress"

England Scientist, Alfred Wallace, says, "Fort Somba Opu is a fortress strongest ever built the archipelago". This fort is a witness to the history of persistence Sultan Hasanuddin and his people defend the sovereignty of his country.

Object Location
Benteng Somba Opu located on Jl Daeng Tata, Kelurahan Benteng Somba Opu, Sub Barombong, Gowa. The distance is about six kilometers south of Makassar city center.

Overview
Wallace's statement might be true. Once entering the area Somba Opu Citadel, will appear shortly solid walls. Describing defense system is perfect in his day. Although made of red brick, seen from the thickness of the wall, it can be imagined how the fort was very difficult to penetrate and torn down.

There are three bastions are still visible the remains, the bastions in the southwest, central bastions, and northwest bastions. The latter is called the Great Buluwara. In this bastions had placed a most powerful cannon owned by the Archipelago. His name is Meriam Children Makassar. Reach its weight 9500 kg, with a length of 6 meters, and diameter of 4.14 cm. It sounded like thunder boomed.

Actually, Fort Somba Opu now more correct to say the ruins with the remains of some walls still standing. The shape of this castle was not yet known exactly though efforts continue excavation. But according to the map stored in the Museum of Makassar, the form of this castle is a square.

In some parts there are stakes-stakes concrete signal that there is a wall underneath untapped. Indeed, having defeated Gowa Kingdom led by Sultan Hasanuddin, the Dutch destroy this fortress. For hundreds of years, the castle remains buried in the soil due to increased sedimentation from the sea.

Architecturally, so according to the map document in the Museum of Makassar, the fort was a square with a total area of 1500 hectares. Extends 2 kilometers from west to east. Parapet height that looks right now is 2 meters. But first, actual height of the wall is between 7-8 meters with a thickness of 12 feet or 3.6 meters.

Benteng Somba Opu currently located within the Masjid South Sulawesi. Tourists can enjoy the forms of traditional houses of South Sulawesi as the traditional home of Makassar, Bugis, Toraja, Mandar and not far from the fort. Within this complex are held every year in South Sulawesi Development Exhibition.

Access
Benteng Somba Opu can be accessed from the central city of Makassar (Field Karebosi) with urban transportation (petepete) or taxi. If you use city transportation, from the Field Karebosi major urban transportation aboard Cendrawasih. From Cendrawasih to change the transport to Fort Somba Opu.

Rate Sign
For treatment, the Government of South Sulawesi Province charge of Rp 2,000 per person. There are also a great guide is the charge determined by consensus.