Rotterdam Fort revitalization not to change its shape

Antara News, Sunday, July 4, 2010 18:30 WIB

Makassar, S Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - The revitalization of Rotterdam Fort, one of the ancient Dutch buildings in South Sulawesi province, will not have its shape changed, head of the provincial tourism office Syuaib Malombassi said.

The revitalization project was aimed to restore the ancient fort as its original shape, he said here on Sunday.

In addition, repainting of the Rotterdam Fort would take three months, said PT ICI Paint Indonesia president director.

Syuaib also denied a report saying that the fort will be changed into a hotel.

"There are six rooms in the old building. We will only equip the rooms with air conditioning system," the official said.

According to him, the six rooms will be made available especially for Dutch tourists for nostalgic purposes.

The fort which is now known as "Benteng Ujung Pandang", is a historical artifact of the greatness of the past kingdom of South Sulawesi in the seventeenth century," a report said.