The Relics of Gowa Kingdom

Once there's a great Kingdom in province of South Sulawesi even in Indonesia. The Gowa Kingdom had the triumphed as one of the great Indonesian kingdoms in the XVI century.

In 1510 gradually Gowa kingdom grew rapidly as a trading centre to replace the Malacca that fell into the hands of Portuguese in 1511. The glory of the kingdom of Gowa lasted for a century even more before finally fell into the hands of the VOC through the great and everlasting war in Makassar.

And in November 18, 1667 through the agreement Bungayya, Gowa Kingdom under the leadership of Sultan Hasanuddin admitted defeated of the VOC. The Kingdom of Gowa is slowly declining since that day. And in 1936 Balla Lompoa was build in the city of Sungguminasa which is the last palace of Gowa kingdom that can be seen until now.

Balla Lompoa or in Bahasa Indonesia means "Rumah Besar" (Big House). Situated in Sungguhminasa about 1 km from Makassar province. Next to Balla Lompoa stands a much larger palace, founded by the Gowa district government since 2007 and used as a multipurpose building for government events and weddings.

Apparently the great kingdom of old days now just a museum for a tourist and some events which is not so represent how great the kingdom was. Even the information inside the museum doesn't tell much about Gowa kingdom at all.

If you are a cultural person or historical geek, Balla Lompoa is the best place for you when you are visiting Makassar. There's a traditional weapon such as Keris and Badik, there's a Koran and royal jewellery as well.

Well, see you there...

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