Learn Piece of History at Vredeburg Fort Museum

Learn Piece of History at Vredeburg Fort Museum

Yogyakarta always provide varies of thing to see and learn. There are varies activity that can be explored around the city of Yogyakarta.  One of activity that can be done is to learn the history of Indonesia, especially the past event in Yogyakarta.  One of the options to learn history in Yogyakarta is visit historical place or visit several museums that spread over the area of Yogyakarta City.

Vredeburg Fort Museum is one of the popular museums in Yogyakarta.  This museum is a historical museum that located inside the stronghold complex, which is one of the historical places in Yogyakarta.  The Fort is located near the famous Malioboro Street, it just located in the south of Beringharjo Market and just around five minutes walk from the market.

picture source : (http://museumvredeburg.blogspot.com/2010/04/bangunan-sesuai-dengan-awal-bahwa.html)

In the past this fort is the symbol of Dutch existence in Yogyakarta. The fort was built in 1760 by Sultan Hamengkubuwono I the first king of Yogyakarta. This fort is build by the request from the Dutch colonial government as protection for the Yogyakarta Palace. This request sometimes is interpreted as the Dutch colonial government political tactic to control the Yogyakarta Sultanate.  The name of Vrederburg Fort has meaning of peaceful fort, which symbolized the peace relationship between Yogyakarta Sultanate and Dutch Colonial Government.  The name of Vredeburg is replacing the previous name the fort Rustenburg in 1867 after the fort renovation towards the heavy damage because earthquake that strikes Yogyakarta at that time. 

Vredeburg Fort has been experience several change on its function. It firstly used as the basic defence fort for. Later than it becomes the military base of Dutch Military. In the Japanese occupation, the stronghold becomes the Japanese military base and also prison for Dutch and Indonesian people who resist the Japanese occupation. After the Indonesia independence and Yogyakarta Sultanate decision to become part of Indonesia, Vredeburg becomes the Indonesian military base.  Later the fort is given back to the Indonesia government and since 1992 opens for public as museum.

The Vredeburg Fort Museum is open from Tuesday until Sunday and closed on Monday.  The entry ticket price is around IDR 2000  The museum shows historical collection such as: clothes, weapons, scripts, etc. which used in the independence period. There are also several dioramas that tell story about national history of Indonesia, from the Dipenogoro war, Japan occupation, Independence period, Education history, and many important events in the Indonesian history that happens in Yogyakarta. Those diorama and the museum collection show in four diorama rooms, with each room has specific theme.

The fort complex is a heritage site that means the use of the building must preserve its original character of the building complex. Although it has been used as museum, the original architecture is still maintained and preserved. It’s interesting to walk around the fort complex to see building and rooms inside the fort area. The fort wall is also interesting spot to visit, from the fort wall we can see several historical buildings such as Yogyakarta Post Office, Bank of Indonesia, and BNI building that located across the street. 

Vredeburg Fort is a good place to learn the history of Indonesia in Yogyakarta. It still maintains the nice building character on the complex which brings to its glory in the past. The atmosphere in the fort is lovely, with several big trees in the fort area. It makes cool the stronghold complex. Just sit and relax in the bench that has been provided if we feel tired after getting around enjoying the nice atmosphere.  It will bring positive exposure for your journey.