Vastenburg, a national heritage site in disrepair<\/p>\n
Kartika Bagus C.
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nSurakarta, Central Java<\/p>\n
Hidden behind high fences and in bad repair, the old fort of
\nVastenburg which is located at Gladak Solo intersection in the
\nheart of Surakarta or around half a kilometer from the Surakarta
\nHadiningrat palace, eludes public attention.<\/p>\n
Back then, General Baron Van Imhoff erected the fort, then
\nnamed Grootmoedigheid, in 1745 as a stronghold for the Dutch East
\nIndies troops in Central Java. It was built near the palace in a
\nclear attempt to control the maneuvers of Surakarta's royal
\ncircles.<\/p>\n
The building, also meant to fortify the Dutch governor's
\nresidence, is surrounded by other structures to house Dutch
\nofficers and soldiers. With brick walls six meters high, it has a
\nmoat and a drawbridge.<\/p>\n
After the war of independence, the fortress became a military
\ndefense base of Battalion IV\/Pulanggeni, Territory I, Division X,
\nformed in October 1945 as part of the People's Security Forces
\n(TKR). It was also the headquarters of Battalion 413 in 1981 and
\nserved as a military training site later on.<\/p>\n
At present, the historic structure has almost lost its
\noriginal features. Several parts of the walls are covered with
\niron and copper sheets, with sedge grass growing over part of the
\npremises, encouraging goats to roam and graze.<\/p>\n
Having lost its stately and imposing persona, Vastenburg is
\nreportedly going to be demolished for the construction of a five-
\nstar hotel. Its name will soon be lost with the passing of time.<\/p>\n
The tragic fate of Vastenburg was sealed in an agreement
\nbetween Battalion 413 and Batik Keris company in 1982, which was
\napproved by then Surakarta mayor R. Hartomo. The historic
\nbuilding was thus privately controlled.<\/p>\n
Local media reports indicate that the fort is now divided
\nbetween private firms.<\/p>\n
Historian of the Surakarta-based Sebelas Maret University
\nSudharmono regretted the privatization of Vastenburg, describing
\nit as an encroachment on the cultural heritage of Surakarta. It
\nreflects Surakarta's colonial character, besides serving as a
\ncity landmark.<\/p>\n
According to Sudharmono, a number of historians and
\narchitecture students had staged a demonstration against the deal
\nbecause the move represented an annexation of public assets. He
\ncriticized officials in Surakarta for having no concept of urban
\nlayout, which should view the city's history as a collective
\nmemory of society, thus making the heritage site public property.<\/p>\n
However, Sudharmono still sees the possibility of restoring
\nthe asset to public ownership in view of Vastenburg's historic
\nstatus, by reviewing all the past transaction accords.<\/p>\n
\"Each generation, in the context of history, has the right to
\nreinterpret past historical events. The Central Java Institute of
\nArcheological Studies should prove that the building is a
\nhistorical landmark and declare it an archeological reserve,\" he
\nasserted.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/vastenburg-a-national-heritage-site-in-disrepair-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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