1. Fort
Margherita
The Margherita Fort was built in 1878 and completed in 1879. Located on
the banks of the Sarawak River Kubu is named 'Fort Margherita' in conjunction
with the name of Charles Brook's wife. With a strategic position on the hill
facing the diversion of the Sarawak River, this fort serves as the main
defensive place of Rajah Brooke which faces the constant threat of Sarawak's
indigenous population.
The fort is shaped rectangular building and is constructed
using berplaster bricks. It has 3 storey ground floor floors for control and
detention rooms. Floor 1 and 2 storey wooden flooring for military dwelling
space. While the roof is a place of control. The spiral staircase from the
buying timber and the metal beam is located one corner connecting each level up
to the roof. The stairs tower is higher than the roof for guards looking for
further distances.
This fort has been enlarged in 1934 by building high
walls connected with the original building. The building has a large courtyard
for a military parade. It is equipped with two observation towers and paths for
soldiers guarding along the walls. The cannon holes were built on the wall to
the Sarawak River and the Malay village under the hill.
The fort was used as a base for the
Sarawak Ranger in 1932, the Japanese Kampetai Office during World War II and
lastly as the Police Museum. The National Heritage Department has made repairs
in 2006. However, it was damaged after being vacated by the Police during the
construction of the new Sarawak State Assembly building next to the fort.
2. Sarawak Museum
The Sarawak Museum (Old Buildings) was built in 1891 and
enlarged as it was in 1911. It was originally built to store and display the
local indigenous artworks and local animal collections as suggested by the
Naturalist, Alfred Wallace, who carried out the work of collecting specimens in
Sarawak at that time.
Since it was built, the building has been remodeled
several times and improved. Its longitudinal design, 44 'x 160', has brick
walls and pillars and bricks and concrete. It is built according to European
architecture with its style according to Queen Anne's style (Victorian period).
The galleries in it are illuminated through dome-shaped windows on the roof of
the building to provide a wide wall space.
During the Age of Japanese rule, the museum was placed
under the custody of a Japanese Officer who sympathized with this museum.
Because of this, not much damage or theft occurred.
On the ground floor of the museum, preserved natural
collections and specimens of Sarawak's fauna, such as reptiles, mammals, birds
and others are exhibited. The top floor of this building showcases ethnographic
materials such as the longhouses of various types of fish and animal traps,
handicrafts, boat models and others. The museum is located in the heart of
Kuching City and is free of charge.
3. Kubu Alice
Kubu Alice located in Bandar Sri Aman was built on a hill
on the banks of the Batang Lupar River. That is the only historical legacy found
in the Sri Aman section. It is one of the oldest buildings in Sarawak.
It has been declared a historic building on February 10,
1971.Its construction is about 12 months.
Alice Fortress built by local people and All expenses
funded by Charles Brooke. All the equipment to build Kubu Alice was taken from
the Batang Skrang River estuary. The Fortress of Alice was built due to the
Iban opposition led by the famous Iban warrior Rentap.
Fortress Alice was built in 1864 by Charle Brooke and He
was later named Kub Alice. The name was taken after the name of his wife, Ranee
Margaret Alice who was built at Simanggang.
In 2015, Kubu was superseded by the Sarawak state
government and was inaugurated at the Benak Festival in 2015.
4. Lamin Dana
Lamin Dana in Melanau Mukah means the Old House. Lamin Dana is a
combination of visitor lodges and cultural centers located in Kampung Tellian,
Mukah. Since its inception in 1999 by Diana Rose and the family, visitors who
have come here have recorded more than 4,000 people from inside and outside the
country. Lamin Dana not only offers homestay but it is also a center of
Melanau's cultural development where children are taught about traditional arts
and crafts to help them increase side income. This house was designed like a
Melanau house when it used to be the best wood to maintain its integrity. Lamin
Dana also provides traditional food such as tebaloi, sago, keliseh, umai,
pipuih and other activities such as boat rides and walk around the mangroves.
5. Kuching Waterfront
One of the easiest places to visit when in Kuching City is the Kuching
Waterfront located along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman and Santubong-Sarawak River.
The Kuching Waterfront or The People Place is not just a place of interest but
also has its own history. This is where the English traveler James Brooke first
landed. Starting with several roof roof buildings then turned into a busy
harbor with warehouses and docks.
What is interesting in the Kuching Waterfront is not just
around the scenery but also from the design and architecture of the area. It is
not surprising that Kuching Waterfront has received an international
architectural award in 1994, namely:
·
National
Project Award in the Civic Design Category - 1994 (Awarded by the Australian
Institute of Landscape Architecture)
·
Merit Award
in the Overseas Category - 1994 (Awarded by the Royal Australian Institute of
Architecture)
·
Excellence
on the Waterfront / Waterfront Center Annual Award - 1994 (Awarded by the
Waterfront Center, USA
6. Sahabat Park
Sahabat Park or Malaysian-Chinese Friendship Park is
located at Jalan song, which is about 30 minutes from the center of Kuching
City. Sahabat Park was officiated by Sarawak Chief Minister on 18.06.2006.
There is giant replica of Admiral Zheng He in the park. The companion garden is
the result of close contact between Kuching City and Kunning City in China.
