Vastenburg, a national heritage site in disrepair

Vastenburg, a national heritage site in disrepair

Kartika Bagus C.
The Jakarta Post
Surakarta, Central Java

Hidden behind high fences and in bad repair, the old fort of
Vastenburg which is located at Gladak Solo intersection in the
heart of Surakarta or around half a kilometer from the Surakarta
Hadiningrat palace, eludes public attention.

Back then, General Baron Van Imhoff erected the fort, then
named Grootmoedigheid, in 1745 as a stronghold for the Dutch East
Indies troops in Central Java. It was built near the palace in a
clear attempt to control the maneuvers of Surakarta's royal
circles.

The building, also meant to fortify the Dutch governor's
residence, is surrounded by other structures to house Dutch
officers and soldiers. With brick walls six meters high, it has a
moat and a drawbridge.

After the war of independence, the fortress became a military
defense base of Battalion IV/Pulanggeni, Territory I, Division X,
formed in October 1945 as part of the People's Security Forces
(TKR). It was also the headquarters of Battalion 413 in 1981 and
served as a military training site later on.

At present, the historic structure has almost lost its
original features. Several parts of the walls are covered with
iron and copper sheets, with sedge grass growing over part of the
premises, encouraging goats to roam and graze.

Having lost its stately and imposing persona, Vastenburg is
reportedly going to be demolished for the construction of a five-
star hotel. Its name will soon be lost with the passing of time.

The tragic fate of Vastenburg was sealed in an agreement
between Battalion 413 and Batik Keris company in 1982, which was
approved by then Surakarta mayor R. Hartomo. The historic
building was thus privately controlled.

Local media reports indicate that the fort is now divided
between private firms.

Historian of the Surakarta-based Sebelas Maret University
Sudharmono regretted the privatization of Vastenburg, describing
it as an encroachment on the cultural heritage of Surakarta. It
reflects Surakarta's colonial character, besides serving as a
city landmark.

According to Sudharmono, a number of historians and
architecture students had staged a demonstration against the deal
because the move represented an annexation of public assets. He
criticized officials in Surakarta for having no concept of urban
layout, which should view the city's history as a collective
memory of society, thus making the heritage site public property.

However, Sudharmono still sees the possibility of restoring
the asset to public ownership in view of Vastenburg's historic
status, by reviewing all the past transaction accords.

"Each generation, in the context of history, has the right to
reinterpret past historical events. The Central Java Institute of
Archeological Studies should prove that the building is a
historical landmark and declare it an archeological reserve," he
asserted.