Fort Marlborough, a silent witness to British colonial history in Bengkulu, offers magnificent colonial architecture and stunning views of the Indian Ocean.
Fort Marlborough is one of the most iconic historical relics in Indonesia. Located in Bengkulu City, this fort was built by the British colonial government in the 18th century and holds a long and complex story about the struggle for power in the archipelago.
This fort was not only a defensive fortress, but also a symbol of British domination in the west coast of Sumatra. The beauty of its colonial architecture and strategic location make Fort Marlborough a popular historical Tourist Attractions in Bengkulu.
History of the Establishment of Fort Marlborough
In the early 18th century, precisely between 1713 and 1719, the East India Company (EIC), a British trading company, established Fort Marlborough in Bengkulu. This construction was led by Governor Joseph Callet, who replaced the previous fort, Fort York.
The name Marlborough was taken from a great British figure, John Churchill, who held the title of Duke of Marlborough. With this prestigious name, this fort became one of the strongest British forts in the East after Fort St. George in Madras, India.
This fort was not just a place of defense, but was also the center of British administration and command in Bengkulu, which at that time was a very important pepper trading center.
However, the journey to this fort did not go smoothly. In 1824, Fort Marlborough was handed over to the Dutch through the Treaty of London. It didn’t stop there, in 1942, this fort fell into Japanese hands during World War II.
After Indonesia gained independence, the fort was used as the headquarters of the Indonesian National Police from 1945 to 1948 and was later used by the Dutch from 1949 to 1950.
After the fort was officially handed over to Indonesia, the building was used as the KODIM office.
In 1977, the Department of Education and Culture (Depdikbud) took over the fort, made it a cultural heritage site and began carrying out various renovations to maintain the authenticity of the building.
Currently, Fort Marlborough is managed by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture as a historical site and tourist destination.
Location and Access to Fort Marlborough
Marlborough Fort is located on Benteng Street, Kebun Keling Village, Teluk Segara District, Bengkulu City, Bengkulu Province. Its location on the coast makes it one of the forts with the most stunning views in Indonesia.
From this fort, visitors can directly see the vast Indian Ocean, giving an exotic feel to this historical destination.
This fort is easily accessible from the center of Bengkulu City, with a distance of only 1.4 kilometers or about 3 minutes drive.
If you come from Fatmawati Airport, the trip to this fort takes about 30 minutes, with a distance of 14.1 kilometers. Visitors can visit this fort every day, from 08.00 to 17.00 WIB, with a very affordable entrance ticket, which is around Rp2,500 per person, excluding parking fees.
The Attraction of Fort Marlborough
Fort Marlborough is more than just a historical building; it offers a variety of attractions, from its magnificent architecture to the beautiful scenery that surrounds it.
1. Witness to a Long History in the Archipelago
As one of the forts left over from the British colonial period, Fort Marlborough holds a long history of the struggle for power in the archipelago.
The British used this fort as a defense center to fight the Dutch and maintain their monopoly on the pepper trade in Bengkulu. This fort was a silent witness to the turmoil between colonial powers that occurred on the west coast of Sumatra.
2. Amazing Colonial Architecture
The architectural beauty of Fort Marlborough is a major attraction for tourists. Built with bricks bonded using lime, this building stands strong to this day.
Its rectangular shape with four bastions at each corner shows the defensive strength of this fort at that time. The defensive moat surrounding the fort and the thick walls demonstrate the British colonial military’s skill in designing formidable fortifications.
In addition, the large main gate of the fort gives a majestic and formidable impression. Visitors can feel the atmosphere of the past when crossing this gate, as if returning to the colonial era where this fort functioned as a military center.
3. Beautiful View of the Indian Ocean
Fort Marlborough offers stunning views. Due to its location on the coast, this fort offers a wide and stunning sea panorama. From the top of the fort, visitors can see the beauty of the blue Indian Ocean, with the sea breeze adding to the coolness.
In addition, Panjang Beach, one of the famous beach destinations in Bengkulu, is also located not far from the fort, so visitors can continue their tour to the beach after enjoying the history at Fort Marlborough.
The Function of Fort Marlborough in the Past
At the beginning of its construction, Fort Marlborough was designed as a defensive fort to protect British rule in Bengkulu. The British, who at that time wanted to control the pepper trade in Sumatra, needed a strong fortress to fight threats from the Dutch and other powers.
Apart from being a defensive fortress, Fort Marlborough also functions as an administrative center and military headquarters. After this fort fell into Japanese and Dutch hands, its function remained as a military post until Indonesian independence.
Today, the function of this fort has changed to become a cultural heritage and tourist destination, with the government trying to preserve this site so that it can still be enjoyed by future generations.
Marlborough Fort in Bengkulu is not only a building from the past, but also a symbol of strength and historical steadfastness that still stands strong to this day.
With its magnificent colonial architecture, strategic location on the coast, and beautiful scenery, Marlborough Fort is a tourist destination rich in historical value and beauty, along with other Things to do in Jambi.
For those of you who are interested in exploring colonial history in Indonesia, Marlborough Fort is the right place to visit.
