Makassar is the capital and the biggest port in the sulewesi island of Indonesia . It is old port city from the 16 th century when Gowa, Bugis and Talloo sultanes ruled this land . After that Portuguese , Dutch and English people come here , first as a businessman and later colonised the Island . It is also the entry point of the famous tourist spot Tana Toraja . Bugis(Local people) are the famous warriors , pirates and deep driver and sea expert . Their influence were such that in the whole malacca strait sea route were dominated by them . This island is also famous for it’s spices .
Makassar is very famous for it’s sea food . Pisang epe , Buroncong , Pisang jio , sop saudara , and coto makassar are some of the famous sea food dishes in here . One thing keep in mind that most of the markets closed before 8 pm in Makassar , after that the whole city looks deserted so plan accordingly and the lighting system in the city is not good . Some of the famous spots to see in this city are
Losari Beach :
Some parts of the beach are concertised as a park . There is no actual sandy beach for people to swim . . Mostly people come here to enjoy the boating . In the evening time there will be lots of street food vendors selling different snacks . Mainly it is a relaxing area in the evening .
But the infrastructure is breaking and sometimes in the boulevard there is water stucked after rain .
Fort Rotterdam :
Fort Rotterdam is one of the Historical monuments in the city of Makassar . This fort was build in 1545 by the Gowanes king . In this place still the Bugis people are living . They are expert warrior , pirates and deep driver . Gowanes were the king of the bugis . This kingdom was spread in the Southern Sulewasi . This fort is made in the shape of a turtle as it symbolised that the kingdom was spread in both the sea and the Land as the turtle .
Dutch cededed this fort in 1667 and general speelman repaired some of the damaged parts . After that this fort was renamed by the birth place of speelman as the “Rotten dam Palace” . There is also lots of alternate name of this fort as fort Benteng , Fort Jumpandang or Ujung Pandang . This fort was made by the stone and clay and was mainly used to store the spices .
Inside this Fort there is Negeri La Galigo museum where you can see different items used in Sulawesi and the different home structure inside the Sulawesi Island . In this Museum they described the kingdom’s history as well as the colonial history . Local people remembered this as the last arresting place of the Prince Diponegoro who went Java to rebel against the Dutch .
Opening time of the Fort and the Museum is between 9 am – 6 pm and the entrance fees is 5000 IDR
Pulau samalona :
Pulao samalona is a island situated 9 km from the city of makassar and it is a coral island . Mainly local tourist come here for the white sand and the turcoise water . This is one of the near by snorkelling and diving spot of Makassar city . Camping is very popular among the locals in this island and boat takes just one hour to reach this island from the mainland Makassar .
If you want to visit this island you have to book the whole boat with price of 500000 IDR for 8 person . Boat will taken you there and return back
99 domes mosque :
This is the newest tourist attraction added in the map of the Makassar city . It is situated in the last portion of the Losari Beach . It has all togeather two floor , one for the male worshipper and one for the female . The Largest dome is situated in the top and the smaller domes are surrounding it . It was inaugurated in the year 2022 . At a time, in this mosque 10000 people can pray . It’s architect is Ridwan Kamil .He was also the west Java’s governor sometime .
This mosque is opened for the general public from the 4 am – 11 pm .
Paotere Harbour :
Paotere Harbour is the oldest harbour and used since 14 th century by the bugis . At that time it was the biggest port in Makassar but now mainly small wooden fishing boats docks here . You can also hire a local boat to travel around the makassar city in sea . There is a famous local fish Market situated just near to the Harbour . This Harbour is situated 4 km from the city centre and you can see lots of Pinisi boats .
Trans studio :
Trans Studio is the third biggest indoor theme park in the world and opened in makassar city in 2009 and designed by the Los angles based designer company Goddard Group with the investment of almost 312 million USD . It is spread across 20000 sq meter and at a time 5000 people can enter into this park .
This theme park is divided into four district Studios central , Lost city ,cartoon city and the Magic corner . There are all total 22 rides and many more shows . Mostly people come this area with Family .
The theme park is opened from 9 am – 8 pm in the week days and 24 hours in weekend and the entry fees is 155000 IDR .
Grand Mosque of Makassar :
Grand Mosque of Makassar or Masjid Raya makassar is the largest mosque in the Makassar city . At a time 10000 people can pray in this Mosque . This mosque has two minerates one of them is 66 meter in height . This mosque is constructed in 1949 by the architect Muhammad Soebardjo . There is a library and Ulema council in this complex of this mosque . This mosque goes through a large renovation from the 1999 to 2005 where some of the structures totally changed .
It is situated 5.5 km south of Makassar city centre and it is opened 24 hours
Fort Somba Opu :
Fort somba Opu was a fortified commercial centre of the 16 th century build by Gowan King . Inside this fort there was sacred tomb of the royal family , oath office and sacred spring . During the dutch attack in 1669 some parts of the fort have been destroyed .
Manily Gowa King made this area for the Malay marchants to trade with the Gowa kingdom .
Sarrounding area of the fort has been developed as the amusement park and Museum . In the museum you can see some of the artifacts and porcelion items digged from here .
The fort is opened between 8 am – 7 pm and the entry is free .
(Art Building )Societeit De Harmonie :
Societeit De Harmonie is a dutch architect building , was build in 1896 to host the important guests , official events , music and dance . This L shaped building has all together 2339 sq meter area . This building was adjacent with a four storied tower . Eastern part of the building , which is used for the exhibition .
Still some arts performance , Theatre group used this building . There are also some of the government offices situated in this historical building .
Makassar catholic cathedrawl :
Actual name of this church is sacred heart of Jesus Cathedral . First missionaries were Portuguese who came from Malacca . Father vicente Viegas made an major role to spread christinity in this island . After 17 th century Gowa sultan allowed the foreigners to practice Christinity openly .
This church has been build in 1900 . This church was renovated and expanded in the year 1941 .
Mandala Monument of West Irian Liberation :
Mandala Monument of West Irian Liberation is a monument started building in 1994 and finished in 1996 . This monumet is made for those bright fighters who liberated west Irian from the invadors . The monument is located in a strategic location in the middle of the city .
It is opened between 11 am – 6 pm but in saturday and sunday it is totally closed just outside view is possible .
Summary :
Makassar is the biggest city and port of the south sulewesi and it is the entry point of the famous tourist destination of Tana Toraja . Island hopping , old port , fishing market , amusement theme park , some mosque and cathedral and old forts are some of the famous things to explore in makassar . Makassar is a very old port from the 16 th century and famous for the spice trading . The local bugis people are great fighter both in the sea and in the land .
