Sign in with Facebook- Join for free
- Sign In
Sign in with Facebook
Helpfulness
Set on a hill overlooking the Indian Ocean fort Marlborough is an interesting place to visit. Dating from 1714 and approached through massive walls, it is an impressive and well-maintained piece of history, reputedly the strongest fort constructed by the British in the east after George Fort in Madras (city in southeastern India). The old British gravestones at the entrance make poignant reading. Inside, a small museum houses a few interesting old engravings, old pictures, and copies of official correspondence from the time of British rule in Bengkulu (1714-1824). Inside the fort, there is also a subway connected to the outside and you can also see where the Dutch incarcerated Soekarno during his internal exile of 1939–1942.
It is open daily from 8am-6pm, admission Rp. 2,500/person
A Brief Story of the Fort
The basic fortification was under construction for four years and was established by East Indian Company (EIC) under Governor General Joseph Callet rule, it was completed in its first form in 1718. Joseph Collet named his new fort `Marlborough` in honors of John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough, who was being haled as a National hero after winning a number of strategic battles in Europe against the French. The fort was the second strongest fort built by British in the east after Fort George in Madras, India.
Bengkulu was briefly shaken out of its torpor during the Governor of Thomas Stamford Raffles in 1818-1824. Fort Marlborough was the seat of the British power and influence in western parts of the Indonesia until 1824, when under the terms of the Treaty of London, England handed over the territory to the Dutch in exchange for others, ending 139 years of British power in Bengkulu.
The actual handover took place early in 1825 as in exchange for Singapore. The Dutch continued to occupy Fort Marlborough until the Second World War and after the fall of Sumatra it was then occupied the Japanese army. The following of the Japanese in 1945 the fort was again briefly occupied by the Dutch. After independent August 17, 1945 the Indonesian army and police force unit used the fort until it was abandoned in the late 1970`s. The fort remains in its present state following a sympathetic restoration programmed which was carried out in the late 1980`s.
Updated May 10, 2012
Address: Jl. Benteng
Phone: 081539249331
During the political struggles against Dutch colonial rule, Bengkulu was a home-in-domestic-exile for the Indonesian nationalist leader Soekarno (1939 – 1942) who later became the first president of Indonesia. During his stay in Bengkulu, Sukarno, who was an architect, redesigned and renovated an old simple mosque (which established in 18th century) who later known as Mesjid Jamik (Jamik Mosque). The best time to visit the mosque is during Friday afternoon prayers, when the entire building is filled with people. The people who pray at the mosque are easygoing and hospitable to visitors. No entrance fee.
Updated Apr 5, 2012
Address: Corner Sudirman str & Suprapto str.
Helpfulness
The provincial museum, Musium Negeri Propinsi Bengkulu is located on Jl. Pembangunan – Padang Harapan, is worth a look. The museum features a large display of interesting traditional costumes, housing, implements, and other geological and archeological items. It is open daily from 8 to 3 pm, and entry costs Rp. 2,500 per person. But this museum is inconveniently located.
Updated Mar 26, 2012
Address: Jl. Pembangunan - Padang Harapan
Helpfulness
Bengkulu has a number of British reminders, including the Thomas Parr monument. The monument was established by British goverment as for the remembrance of the death of a British governor in Bengkulu, Thomas Parr. He was beheaded at night by local fighters in 1807.
Updated Mar 26, 2012
Address: * Jl. Ahmad Yani
Helpfulness
The graves in the British cemetery (jl. Jitra – kelurahan Jitra) behind the small Batak Protestant church are testament to the colonialists’ vulnerability to malaria. It is around 640 m from the fort Marlborough. In this British cemetery there are 15 graves which designed like small monuments. Some the British graves have 2 up to 4 gravestones. The first British man that was buried here was in 1775 and the latest one (a Dutchman) was in 1940.
From the observation to the gravestone chronology, it can be known that the British used this place as a cemetery until 19th century, but then this British cemetery complex also was reused by the Dutch colonial rule when the Dutch controlled Bengkulu until 1940 before the Japanese forces came.
Updated Mar 25, 2012
Address: Jl. Veteran, Jitra - Bengkulu
Helpfulness
Bengkulu has a number of traditions which still continue in Bengkulu people life, one of the cultural assets is the Tabot/Tabut (an Arabic word which means the coffin). This festival is to honor and recall the martyrdom of the Prophet Mohammed’s grandchildren, Hassan and Hussein, at the tragic battle of Karbala-Iraq, against Yazid people on Oct 10, 680.
It is an interesting attraction to enrich your experiences particularly to observe one of Indonesian's unique tradition and culture. Tabot or now is called Tabut festival, the highlight of the Bengkulu people cultural calendar is the colorful and interesting Islamic festival, staged nearby Pederi beach and Fort Marlborough - Bengkulu city. The festival highlights music, traditional and new creation dancing contest, telong-telong contest, Bengkulu song contest, bazaar, effigies, and many more. At the end of the festival the effigies are carried through the streets with much merriment and traditional music, and are finally tossed to the grave of Sheikh Burhanuddin.
Tabut festival is held annually from 1st to 10th of the month of Muharram (Islamic Calendar). Because the date is fixed by the Islamic lunar calendar, it moves forward 10 days each year. The next Tabut festival will be held from November 15th to November 25th 2012.
Tabut ceremony originated from the Iraqi Shiite, brought to Bengkulu by workers (from Madras – India) who were constructing the fort Marlborough for the British East India Company. The first Tabut ceremony in Bengkulu was carried out by Sheikh Burhanuddin (also known as Imam Senggolo) was from India in 1685. He married the woman of Bengkulu, after he passed away the Tabut ceremony was then inherited to their children, including amongst others those who assimilated with the indigenous Bengkulu inhabitants. Burhanuddin’s offspring are called Tabut Family.
This ceremony has been going on for quite a long time, about 3 centuries. Because of the long period, this ceremony is considered as a traditional ceremony of the Malay tribe of Bengkulu.
Updated Feb 29, 2012
Address: Jl. Ahmad Yani & Jl. Benteng
Phone: 081539249331
Helpfulness
Samudera Ujung beach is strongly recommended for surfing mania. It is the best spot for more experienced surfers in Bengkulu. The beach is less popular than Panjang beach or Tapak Paderi beach, but Samudera Ujung beach is clean enough with its white sand and natural spruces along the beach, which makes it very suitable for surfing; it is easy to reach and free from pollution. Only a few local or foreign surfers come to surf here, so you don’t have to wait for a wave patiently or fight against other surfers for waves.
For surfers it will be a frustrating trip taking non-chartered cars. It is easier to get there by paying more for a chartered angkot (city transport) for Rp 60,000 (return trip). The driver will drop you off and pick you up later.
No entrance fee, except on Idul Fitri also known as Lebaran and Idul Adha or Lebaran Haji, the visitors are charged by the locals for Rp. 1,000 per one person.
Because the beach is out of the city, there is no inn/hotel or food stall nearby the surf spots. Please bring your own food, drink and gears!
Updated Jan 26, 2012
Address: Jl. Pelabuhan Samudra
Phone: 081539249331
Helpfulness
Bengkulu has a number of other British reminders, including the Hamilton monument, erected in memory of Captain Robert Hamilton who died on the 15th of December 1793, at the age of 38 years, “in command of the troops”.
Updated Jan 7, 2012
Address: Jl. Letkol Santoso
Helpfulness
The Indonesian nationalist leader Soekarno or was also known as “Bung Karno”, who later became the first president of the Republic of Indonesia, was exiled to Bengkulu by the Dutch from 1938 until 1941 during the struggles against Dutch colonial rule.
During his imprisonment by the Dutch in Bengkulu, he who was also an architect designed and built a mosque, the mosque was named Jamik Mosque. The Jamik Mosque is located nearby Suprapto shopping center (corner Jl. Sudirman & Jl. Suprapto) and it is a noted landmark in the city now. In Bengkulu, he met his wife, Fatmawati, who gave him several children. The most famous being the first female President of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarno Puteri.
The house in which he lived in during his imprisonment is maintained as a museum (entrance fee Rp. 2,500; open daily 8am-18pm). Exhibits include Soekarno’s properties such as a wardrobe, a bed, some black and white photos of Soekarno, reverence books and drama uniforms, even Soekarno’s trusty bicycle, etc.
* Jl. is abbreviation of jalan which in English means street or road, sometimes written as jln.
Updated Jan 5, 2012
Address: Jl. Soekarno-Hatta, kel. Anggut Atas Bengkulu
This small lake is located within Dendam Tak Sudah nature preserve around 8 km (5 miles) of the city center. Dendam Tak Sudah nature preserve covers an area of 5.8 sq km, at an altitude of 15 m. The lake is surrounded by Bukit Barisan mountains scenery and home for rare water orchid called “Vanda Hookeriana” which also known as pencil orchid, and other unique floras. When those plants are blooming, the lakesides would be more awesome views.
It is a good place to relax, the air is pleasantly cool. It is possible to ask a local fisherman for boating the surroundings of the lake. Also, don’t miss another pleasure, get some jagung bakar (roasted corn) and kelapa muda (young coconut), the fresh juice drunk straight from a young coconut, bought at roadside around the beach. Drink the water and then scoop out the flesh. So far, the lake has not been Bengkulu’s main attraction for foreign travelers.
To get to the lake take a yellow, green or red angkot (public city transport) to Terminal Panorama for Rp. 2,000 then red one C3 to the lake Dendam. You should tell the driver where you’re going before get on. And you should have exact change for the fare (Rp. 2,000) regardless of the distance and anything the drivers may tell you.
Cons: not enough parking space and inconvenient for independent travelers.
Written Dec 27, 2011
Address: Jalan Danau, Dusun Besar
Reviews and photos of Bengkulu attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Bengkulu sightseeing.
This small lake is located within Dendam Tak Sudah nature preserve around 8 km (5 miles) of the city center. Dendam Tak Sudah nature preserve covers an area of...
2 members live in Bengkulu
Our members can help!
1
Bengkulu, a Small Relaxed Town
Bengkulu, a small relaxed town, is the provincial capital of the province of the same name, is a calm port town by comparison to other Indonesia cities facing the Indonesian/Indian Ocean. Time zone:...
2
Bengkulu city is the capital of Bengkulu Province, there are many tourist spot, such as a well known Fort Marlborough built by British East India Company in 17 century, Tapak Paderi Beach, and a new...
Build your own Bengkulu page
