Thirteenth International Conference on The Inclusive Museum

Abstract

Indonesia has 422 forts, both Nusantara forts and colonial forts. Nusantara forts are forts built by local rulers/communities, including the one built by Europeans on behalf of the locals. Colonial forts are forts built by former European colonizers, mainly for their defensible trade posts and/or military headquarters. In the present day Indonesia, there are three forts that transformed into, or partly use as, museums. They are the Fort Rotterdam in Makassar (La Galigo Museum), Fort Vredeburg in Yogyakarta (Fort Vredeburg Museum), and Fort Oranje in Ternate (Rempah Museum or Spice Museum). As in the past, colonial forts are usually considered as symbol of colonial power and violence. This research examines, questions, and discusses the transformations of three colonial forts into postcolonial museums. The research reveals that the transformations were not always an act of decolonization. They are also a continuity of colonial point of view, or simply as a practical issue of an availability of space. Furthermore, colonial forts in the present day Indonesia are no longer considered undesirable heritage, instead, they are becoming popular tourist spots.