Square Tower, Kuching

When walking the Riverfront Esplanade, you will come upon the Square Tower, a white square like structure in the shape of a fortress, sitting looking lonesome!

It was built in 1879, the same year Fort Margherita on the opposite bank of the river and was used as a prison and had dungeons. It was later turned into a fortress, and even into a dance hall!

The Square Tower is at the west end of the Waterfront on the Sarawak River across from Astana. It is actually only about 1.5 blocks away from The Round Tower (LOL, any relation?). It was being renovated in March 2009 when I was in Kuching. The Square Tower was built as an annex to Fort Margherita in 1879. It's architecture reflects the Victorian era’s fascination with native culture. It had been turned into a multimedia information center and video theatre, providing information and documentaries on Sarawak’s tourist attractions, but maybe it is getting a new role. It is very close to the Old Wet Market. Could the market's closing have something to do with the Square Tower renovation?

The Square Tower, an English like castle structure erected in 1879 to serve as the town's jail. You may go inside to the Square Tower.

The upper floor houses some visuals on the ancient Kuching town and a brief history of this Square Tower. Here you can catch a glimpse of the olden days Kuching town. Since the tower is very small, a 15-minute visit should be sufficient.

Situated on the waterfront, between the Main Bazaar & the Steamship building, you will see a while building which looks like an old castle but smaller.

It was originally built as an annex to Fort Margherita in the late 19th century but today it's home to a multimedia information center which is another place for tourists to visit to know more about Kuching & the history. It also marks one end of the popular Kuching Waterfront.

Another legacy of the White Rajah of Sarawak, the Square Tower was built in 1879 as a detention centre. It was later converted into a fortress and then a dance hall.

Today the Square Tower has been converted into a multimedia information center and video theatre screening shows and providing information on Sarawak's tourist attractions.

This fort was used as a prison during the British time, and later a torturing chamber during the Japanese occupation. Now it is turned into an information centre for tourists. You can find a theatrette, video wall and interactive video system that enables you to catch a glimpse of Sarawak - past and presence.

At the moment, it is closed for maintenance and renovation works, and expect to be opened to public sometime in 2003.