Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Fort Margherita

Fort Margherita is built in 1878 and completed 2 years later to guard Kuching's river approaches from pirates. Named after Charles Brooke's wife, Ranee Margaret, it is an extremely attractive building.

The fort was built according to the style of an English Tudor castle and commanded a breathtaking and strategic position along the Sarawak River.

The Fort used to house a Police Museum, with fascinating exhibits of Brooke militaria, weapons captured during the communist insurgency and the famous "laughing skulls". I was disappointed that the museum is no longer exist. In fact, all the rooms are empty now. Entrance to the fort is free

Sitting on a knoll opposite the waterfront, this little white fort complete with battlements. Now, the impressive whitewashed building had been left to rot. What a shame, considering its historical significance.

Sarawak River view from the Fort

Dewan Undangan Negeri (State Assembly Complex) new building is just next to the fort (photos taken last year). It is about to be completed soon, around 2009.

Hilton Hotel

Riverbank Suite, Crowne Plaza and Hilton Hotel

Harbour View Hotel and Medan Pelita

To get to the fort, head to the sampan jetty at Kuching Waterfront and take a boat ride (RM0.50 one way if not mistaken) across Sarawak River to the other side. It's about 15 minutes walk from there. It's a nice walk as one will walk past through Malay villages, school, police quarters and forest.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

i was in kuching for the past 6 years but didn't get the chance to go there always see the fort from afar. i must go there one of these days.

escape said...

i like the view of the lake from up there. what's great is you have a good view of the skyline as well.

i particularly like the style of the new structure. i wonder how it will look after its construction.

TNH said...

I never been to Fort Margherita too...from the picture really not like what i imagine

Kuching Remisier Blog said...

hahaha... yah.. all gone.. last time got gun those... maybe will have it when things get done.. now not many ppl will go there liao..

I AM A BLOGGER said...

ooo, i really need to take a break and visit places juz like u.

EJ said...

I like the Assembly Complex, the design is unique...

Anonymous said...

I'm getting familiarize with your place now hehehe.. Thanks for sharing all these..

Kikey Loo said...

the one that still in the contraction look giant.

Unknown said...

Just took a trip there last weekend. The State council building is now finished on the outside and the fort has been repainted as well. Pictures for anybody who is interested:

http://jedrzejmajewski.wordpress.com/sarawak/fort-margherita-est-ad-1880/