Fort Margherita is an old fort built in 1879 by Charles Brooke, the first white Rajah of Sarawak. The fort was designed to protect Kuching from attack by pirates and any river-
borne invasions. Fort Margherita is named after Brooke's beloved wife, Margaret Alice Lili de Windt, she was then raised to the title of Ranee of Sarawak with the style of Her Highness upon their marriage. The three-storey tower block's battlement includes a watch-point 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 Honourable Head of State of Sarawak (Sarawak Governor). Fort Margherita is accessible by road. It is a 15-minute drive along Petra Jaya, or you use jetty at waterfront to cross to other side of the river. It currently sits next to the New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building.
How to Go There:
You may use Jetty at Kuching's waterfront to cross to Astana or to Kampung Boyan; from this both arrival points, you have yo walk for another 10 minutes to reach the historical Fort Margherita:
The view of Penambang that used to cross to Astana or Kampung BoyanDeparture Jetty at Waterfront KuchingArrival Jetty at Kampung BoyanArrival Jetty at Kampung BoyanArrival Jetty at Kampung BoyanNight Food Court at Kampung BoyanNight Food Court at Kampung BoyanView of the Waterfront Kuching from Kampung Boyan JettyWelcome to Kampung BoyanSignage to Fort Margherita between Kampung Boyan and Kampung GersikSignage to Fort MargheritaYou have to climb this staircase to proceed to Fort MargheritaUsing this small alley to proceed to Fort Margherita, will takes another 10 minutes to reach the siteThe view of Fort Margherita from distanceView of New Sarawak State Assembly from Fort Margherita
The Fort Margherita:
Fort Margherita main buildingFort Margherita main entrance facing the riverFull view of the FortFull view of the Fort MargheritaThe Grave of late Ranee BrookeThe Grave of Anthony Walter BrookeFort MargheritaInside view of the FortThe Belian wood ceiling of the FortAbout Ranee Margaret BrookeThe History of Fort MargheritaThe story about Sarawak RangersThe alley to execution field. The left side is two lock-up for prisoners.Original lock-up doorThe Tower from inside the execution fieldThe execution field from Rajah Brooke until Japanese Occupation period. The bridge inside the FortOne of the observation hole inside the FortThe cannons of the FortView atop the Fort facing the Sarawak RiverThe original wall of the Fort preserved until todayOutside wall of the FortThe staircase leading to the top.
The view of Fort Margherita from distance
