Make the Most of Eid al-Fitr Homecoming by Touring Fort Pendem
JAKARTA - In addition to ensuring smooth traffic flow for the 2026 Eid al-Fitr homecoming and return journeys, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing is also inviting the public to utilise the homecoming momentum as an opportunity to travel with family.
One destination that homecoming travellers can visit is Benteng Pendem Ambarawa or Fort Willem I in Central Java province.
Benteng Pendem Ambarawa is a cultural heritage area that has been revitalised by the Ministry of Public Works through the Central Java Building, Infrastructure, and Area Arrangement Agency (BPBPK).
The area now presents itself as a more organised, comfortable, and educational heritage tourism destination, while still preserving its historical value.
Benteng Pendem Ambarawa stands on 2.7 hectares of land with a building area of around 1 hectare.
“The area arrangement was carried out with a focus on cultural heritage preservation principles, including maintaining the distinctive architectural character of the fort that combines brick, iron, and wood materials,” stated Dody on Sunday (22/3/2026).
The arrangement work was carried out starting from December 2023 by the Ministry of Public Works together with the implementing contractor PT Waskita Karya with a contract value of around Rp 156.8 billion.
The scope of work includes revitalisation of the main building, area arrangement, construction of a parking area of 6,429.93 m², and improvement of access roads covering 5,873.42 square metres to enhance visitor comfort and accessibility.
The Benteng Pendem Ambarawa area now appears more organised and comfortable, with characteristic brick corridors and open spaces that can be utilised as educational areas as well as tourism spots for visitors.
From Semarang city, the travel time is around 45 minutes to 1 hour, while from Yogyakarta it can be reached in about 1.5 to 2 hours via the Magelang route.
Around the area, homecoming travellers can also visit other destinations such as the Ambarawa Railway Museum and the Ambarawa Palagan Monument, which add to the historical tourism experience in the region.
The Ministry of Public Works hopes that the existence of this tourism infrastructure will drive regional economic growth through the tourism and creative economy sectors, while providing a more memorable homecoming travel experience for the public.