The Buton castle once served as the center for the sprawling territory of the now defunct Sultanate of Buton that included its neighboring island as well as areas on the island of Sulawesi.
The strategic location of the sultanate within busy sea routes which connected to the spice islands in the east with the trading world of India and beyond during the flourishing spice trade in the 16th century. This prime location made other powers in the region looked at this sultanate with envy.
The construction of the castle was initiated in 1634 under the order of the sixth Sultan of Buton, La Buke. Its wall is 2740 meters and it surrounds a territory of 401.900 square meters. The wall is 1-2 meters thick and 2-8 meters high, and equipped with 16 bastion and 12 gates.
The castle and its thick wall was constructed to protect the families and members of the ruling sultans from possible attacks from the sea. Its location up on the hill behind the port of Bau Bau where the main town is now located allowed the sultanate to monitor the movements of ships across the straits. More than 300 households now still live within the castle.
The project of participatory community green-mapping for heritage conservation of and within Buton Castle was successfully implemented during December 1, 2004 to March 15, 2005(launched).
contact bambang_isi@yahoo.com
The seminar, workshops, and discussions which were held as part of the mapping activities successfully generated interest among the community who live in the Castle and among the citizen of the City of Bau-Bau (where the Castle is administratively located) in thinking of conserving the Castle. Strong objections expressed during those events by members of the community on a certain city government’s plan to build a hall within the Castle were successful in halting the execution of the plan. Further, the city government and the representative council (DPRD) were agreed to commission an overall plan to develop the Castle for tourism and other purposes but in accordance to heritage conservation principles. Seminar and Workshop on Heritage Conservation Opened by Mayor and Chairwoman of DPRD of Bau Bau (funded by the Japan Foundation)
well covered by local media;there were 3 local newspaper , and broadcast during GM and trail map launched.
The seminar, workshops, and discussions which were held as part of the mapping activities successfully generated interest among the community who live in the Castle and among the citizen of the City of Bau-Bau (where the Castle is administratively located) in thinking of conserving the Castle. The volunteer group continued their field work by introducing the map and promoting the heritage conservation principles among various groups within and without the Castle.
Trail Map
distribution
thanks to all participants & keynote speakers of Seminar and Workshop on Heritage Conservation Opened, also the by Mayor of Bau Bau City, Chairwoman of DPRD of Bau Bau,the Japan Foundation, Universitas Hasanuddin, the Royal Netherlands Embassy, Tourist Boards Departemen of Bau Bau
the pblic transportation (boat) only sailed once a week, so we must stay for a week in each visit, even for a day meeting with stake holder.
the First Green MAp in Eastern Indonesia
