In Town
Tourist Spots – 2
Fort
de Kock, Fort de Kock fortress complex is one of the many Dutch colonial
heritage monuments which still standing firmly in the town of Bukittinggi. Fort
de Kock was actually also the old name of the town of Bukittinggi. This fort
was built by the Dutch during Padri war around 1825, built on top of Jirek
Hill, at the first this fortress named Sterrenschans, then by Markus Hendrix de
Kock the Dutch military commander at the time, name of the fortress changed to
Fort de Kock.
Bukittinggi
city itself began to develop after founding of this fort, so at that time his
name synonymous with the name of the fortress before then changed to Bukittinggi,
as we now know. Territorially, the fort was also a symbol that the Dutch at
that time had succeeded in occupying the West Sumatra.
Limapeh Bridge |
Since its
renovation in 2002, Fort de Kock region developed into a park complex;
Bukittinggi City Park and Tropical Bird Park (Tropical Bird Park). Close to this
complex also found Limpapeh bridges, a pedestrian bridge adopting Minangkabau
architecture style and crossing over the highway town of Bukittinggi. From the bridge,
we can enjoy views of the Sianok Canyon and mountains surrounding of the town,
Mount Marapi, Mount Singgalang and Mount Tandilek.
Around of the
fortress there are still some relics, we can see the Dutch’s old cannon. Museum
Traditional House Baanjuang also still situated in the same location with the
fortress Fort de Kock. Visiting Fort de
Kock could be a package of visits to several tourist sites in one location.
Lubang Jepang (Japanese Caves), Bukittinggi’s
Japanese Cave, is one of hundreds of similar caves built by the Japanese Army
during the period of the Greater East Asia War in Indonesia. Actually, this
cave is a typical Japanese defense bunkers commonly built at that time. The
thing that made Bukittinggi Japanese Cave special is because this Japanese
bunker is located in city center and is still fairly well maintained while in
the other areas location of the bunker usually outside of city center.
Entry Gate of Lubang Jepang |
First discovered by local residents in 1946, the
condition at that time was very frightening with a number of human bones
scattered on the floor along the aisle of the tunnel. Renovated by the local city
authority, added with some public facilities then in 1986, the historic tunnel
officially opened to public as one of the historical tourist sites. The
second renovation held in 2004, this work is in order to give more satisfaction
and safety to the visitors.
Japanese caves are located at Bukit Sianok, the caves
has 3 main entrances and 6 emergency exits, from the three of main doors
currently only one main door which located in Panorama Park is open for
visitors. Overall, this bunker has hallway of 1.400m length, with a width of 2m
and 3m high. The underground passage has 12 military barracks room, 12
bedrooms, 6-ammunition room, 2 romusha's dining room, and a meeting
room.
Inside the tunnel - Lubang Jepang |
Inside the cave tunnel now can still be found variety relics
equipment belonging of Japanese soldiers that were used for various purposes,
including the equipment used as instruments of prisoners torturing.
Well, visiting a bunker cave of Japanese military
defense on the Greater East Asia War era is refreshing us how cruel life of a
war, whatever the name, and reason is.