See One of the World’s Biggest Fortresses in Indonesia!

Benteng Keraton Buton (Photo via Tripbaubaucity)

The magnificent fortress offers breathtaking views of Bau Bau City and Buton Strait.

30 Agustus 2016 10:36

Brilio.net/en - Indonesia boasts the biggest Buddhist temple in the world, but little did we know that the country is also home toone of the worlds biggest fortresses too!

The magnificent fortress is nestled on the beautiful tropical island of Buton, just off Sulawesis southeast peninsula.

Buton Castle (Benteng Keraton Buton), occupies an area of more than 23,000 hectares and the outer walls can be as tall as 2.7 meters. Built of limestone and sands,itboasts 12 gates, called Lawa, each protected by a cannon. According to locals, the 12 gates represent 12 holes in the human body.

Benteng Keraton Buton (Photo via syair79)

Inside Benteng Keraton Buton (Photo via Kemendikbud)

History

The first foundations of the castle, located in the City of Bau Bau, were laidby King La Sangaji (Sultan Kaimuddin), ruler of the 16th-century Buton Sultanate. Originally, it was just a defensive wall made of piled stones to protect the Sultans palace. The walls also serve as a border between the palace and residential areas.

During the reign of King La Elangi (Sultan Dayanu Ikhsanuddin), the piled stone walls were upgraded into a permanent fortress. In addition to the main castle, the king also added 16 bastions called Baluara, two of which wereequipped with arsenals to store cannonballs and gunpowder.

There are also smaller fortresses inside the castle, all of which has its own function. Two of them are the Sorawalio Fortresses, which serve as a secret hideaway for the royal family in times of trouble, and Katobengke Fortress, which was used to execute prisoners.

One side of the walls (Photo via Beritagar)

One of the bastions, called Gama (Photo via National Geographic)

At the heart of Buton Castle sits a mosque with a 33-meter flagpole, known as The Great Mosque of Wolio (Masjid Agung Wolio) or the Great Mosque of the Buton Sultanate. The 400-year flag pole served as a place to execute inmates in the past.

There are lingering mysteries surroundingthe mosque. One is of a hole that leads tothe center of the Earth and a tunnel to Mecca.