FORT MARGHERITA
Fort
Margherita is an old fort built in 1879 by Charles Brooke, Rajah of Sarawak
situated in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. The fort is an important landmark and
monument in Sarawak's history which goes back to the Brooke Dynasty. The fort,
built in the style of an English castle, was designed to protect Kuching from
attack by pirates. It served as a Police Museum from 1971 before being handed
over to the Sarawak state government and now is a tourist attraction in
Kuching.
Fort
Margherita is named after Brooke's beloved wife, Margaret Alice Lili de Windt,
whom he married at Highworth, Wiltshire on 28 October 1869; she was raised to
the title of Ranee of Sarawak with the style of Her Highness upon their
marriage.
The
fort was built on a hill overlooking the Sarawak River and situated on the
north bank opposite the then fast expanding town centre of Kuching. The fort
was well-equipped to protect the capital from river-borne invasions.
The
three storey tower block's battlement includes a watchpoint on top,a courtyard
surrounded by a high wall with sharp glass shards inlaid for protection and set
into the wall itself are wooden windows from where the cannons were fired.
Executions of prisoners were carried out in this courtyard,right up to the
Japanese occupation during World War II.
Fort
Margherita is situated across the Sarawak River near The Astana, the official
residence of the yang DiPertua Negeri Sarawak. Fort Margherita is accessible by
road. It is a 15-minute drive along Petra Jaya, or a short river cruise from
Pangkalan Batu, in front of Main Bazaar on Kuching Waterfront. It currently
sits next to the New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building.
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