Johor Lama Fort

Johor Lama Fort

Venturing out from Bob's Homestay, it takes about half an hour to walk to Johor Lama Fort also known as Kota Batu (Stone Fort). Passing the Old Johor Village and a small rubber plantantion, we saw an old cemetery's headstone beside the small road along the way. Up on the hill beside the Johor River, there stood an old fort that had withstood attacks from the Achehnese and Portuguese sea men. It also witnessed the greatness of one of the mightiest power in South East Asia in 19th century, the old Johor Empire.

The fort's history started in 1540 when Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah II built the fort with laterite stones and earth. However, Acheh conquered the city in 1564 and the Sultan was brought to Acheh. After nine years abandonment, the fort was repaired and the new king Sultan Ali Jalla Abdul Jalil Shah II decided to use Stone Fort as the centre to administrate the government in 1573.

It's not long after a couple of boisterous attacks; the fort was conquered and demolished by the Portuguese army from Malacca. On August 15, 1587, the fort had to be surrendered after a month of seclusion and the Sultan resigned further down the Johor River to a new place called Batu Sawar in Kota Tinggi.

After an archaeological excavation in the 1950's, what we can see of the fort is a wide square green field with a two to four metres shaped barrier with some column for cannons pointed to the Johor River. The steep hill towards the river is strategically an advantage from attacks and once upon a time, for 24 years this place is one of the busiest trading centre as well as the main Old Johor glorious administration city.

Kota Johor Lama Historical Complex

The greatness of Johor Lama Fort is magnified by a historical complex built on the land that used to be the Sultanate government centre. A replica of the old Sultan's palace, the Johor Lama Historical Complex preserved the rich history of the fort and we were thrilled to learn more about the place through an audio visual presentation and well-illustrated oil paintings depicting the occurrence that had happened 500 years ago.

The exhibited artefacts helped us with a glimpse of the past, giving us a clearer picture of the cultural and sociological situation in that era and how it all relates to the whole history of the Johor and Malacca Sultanate. The brownish wooden establishment keeps only a handful of precious century old relics like vases, carved Acheh headstone, porcelain and a few other invaluable artefacts and findings.

Those who are interested in architectural aspects should be amazed by the traditional wooden carvings of the old Malay heritage of the complex building. Minimal nails have been used in the building process and once inside, you can imagine that you are actually in one of those palaces in 1587!

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Johor
• Lama
• Fort
• cemetery
• headstone
• Empire
• laterite
• Old
• Village
• Kota
• Historical
• Complex

[kertastandas]

This place was just near my house, nothing left except the site and the graves...... It's lucky that we have Johore Heritage Foundation, Johore Museum & Antiquity Department and others to take care of it. At least I can still see that historical place. Thanks to all, I don't think that I could see the heritage without their effort......