Fort Marlborough
Sumatra Region
Fort Marlborough, located in Bengkulu City on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia, is a former British East India Company fort built between 1713 and 1719. Constructed under Governor Joseph Collett, it served as a strategic defensive structure for British interests in the region. The fort is notable for its robust brick walls, ranging from 50 to 180 centimeters thick, which have withstood significant natural disasters including the 2000 Enggano earthquake and the 2007 tsunami. Its rectangular layout features arrowhead-shaped bastions at each corner, a dry moat, and a protected southwestern entrance with a wooden door and bridge. Throughout its history, Fort Marlborough experienced attacks, including occupation by the French during the Seven Years' War and assaults by local inhabitants. After the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824, control of the fort passed from the British to the Dutch, later occupied by the Japanese during World War II, and finally taken over by Indonesian authorities post-independence. Today, it stands as a preserved heritage site managed by Indonesia's Department of Education and Culture, symbolizing colonial history and architectural resilience.
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Tipp: Visitors are advised to explore the fort during daylight hours for the best experience of its architecture and historical displays. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended during peak tourist seasons. The fort offers educational tours and has occasional cultural events; check local schedules for updated information. Discounts may be available for students and groups. Comfortable walking shoes are suggested due to the fort's expansive grounds and uneven surfaces.
Interessante Fakten
- •Fort Marlborough is one of the strongest British forts built in the eastern region, second only to Fort St. George in Madras, India.
- •The fort's thick brick walls have withstood major natural disasters, including a 7.9 magnitude earthquake and a 3.5-meter tsunami.
- •A monument to Thomas Parr, a British resident killed during a 1807 attack on the fort, stands 170 meters southeast of the fortress.
- •The fort covers 2.7 hectares with a total site area of 4.4 hectares, featuring a dry moat and arrowhead-shaped bastions at each corner.
Geschichte
Fort Marlborough was constructed between 1713 and 1719 by the British East India Company under Governor Joseph Collett to replace an older fortification known as Fort York.
It was built on an artificial hill using convict and local labor.
The fort endured attacks and occupations, including by the French in 1760 during the Seven Years' War, and local uprisings in 1724 and 1793.
The 1824 Anglo-Dutch Treaty transferred control of Bengkulu and the fort to the Dutch.
During World War II, the Japanese occupied it, and later it was used by Indonesian national police and army post-independence.
In 1977, restoration efforts began to preserve the fort as a cultural heritage site.
OrtsfĂĽhrer
Southwest Entrance and Ravelin1713-1719
The main entrance to the fort is located on the southwest side, featuring an archway with a wooden door protected by a ravelin, an outer defensive structure designed to shield the entrance from attack.
Arrowhead-Shaped Bastions1713-1719
Each of the four corners of the rectangular fort has an arrowhead-shaped bastion, allowing defenders to cover the walls with cannon fire and protect the fort from sieges.
Dry Moat and Wooden Bridge1713-1719
A dry moat surrounds the fort, following its outline, with a wooden bridge spanning the ditch that separates the main building from the front building, adding layers to the fort's defense system.
Kontakt
Telefon: 0813-1119-6013