Repost || Aceh Island Lighthouse, Traces of the Maritime Past
source image : goodnewsfromindonesia.id
Its name is "Pulau Aceh." It's the name of a sub-district in the "Aceh Besar" Regency, which is located in the "Aceh Province." Interestingly, the name of the sub-district, the regency, and the province all use the word "Aceh."
Aceh Island is like the "front yard" of the city of Banda Aceh. It might even be the "front yard" of the Indonesian archipelago, because to enter the port of Banda Aceh, a ship must pass through Aceh Island. To enter the Strait of Malacca or the Indonesian archipelago, a ship from the West would be monitored from Aceh Island.
In the past, when the spice trade was conducted by sea, maritime traffic was a concern for the rulers of this region.
source image : merdeka.com
The Dutch, as the colonial rulers at that time, felt the need to regulate maritime traffic entering and leaving the city of Banda Aceh. To that end, they built a lighthouse, a watchtower for maritime traffic. Today, the lighthouse still stands tall. It is a historic Dutch legacy: the Willem Toren III Lighthouse, a navigational structure built during the Dutch colonial period.
This lighthouse is located in Meulingge Village, Pulo Breuh, Pulau Aceh District, Aceh Besar Regency. It serves as a silent symbol of Dutch colonial rule, which once controlled this westernmost region of Indonesia.
Also known as the Willem Toren III Tower, this structure stands majestically on a hilltop, offering panoramic views of the open sea and the surrounding islands.
source image : readers.id
Standing atop the lighthouse tower, you'll undoubtedly be captivated and awed by the surrounding natural beauty. But the Dutch didn't build this lighthouse solely to enjoy its beauty. It was built to monitor incoming ships, whether they were engaged in trade or war.
According to the official website of the Aceh Transportation Agency, the lighthouse is named after Willem Alexander Paul Frederik Lodewijk, King of Luxembourg who reigned from 1817 to 1890. The tower stands 85 meters tall with walls approximately one meter thick. Its cylindrical structure features strong Dutch architectural influences, reflecting the colonial era in the Land of the Veranda of Mecca.
source image : acehtourism.travel
Construction of this lighthouse began in 1875 by the Dutch government with the aim of guiding ships navigating the Strait of Malacca, a busy international shipping lane. As a vital part of the global maritime navigation system, the tower holds a strategic role.
To reach its summit, visitors must climb 168 steps. Uniquely, there are only three similar towers in the world: in Aceh, the Netherlands, and the Caribbean.
To this day, the lighthouse still actively functions as a navigational guide for ships navigating the Indian Ocean. Currently, its management is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Transportation through the Directorate General of Sea Transportation – Sabang Class II Navigation District.
source image : posaceh.com
Not only instrumental in the shipping sector, the Willem Toren III Lighthouse is now also a popular historical and natural tourism destination. With its beautiful natural surroundings and historical significance, the lighthouse enhances the tourist appeal of Aceh Island.
This tower has become an important icon of Indonesian maritime history. It serves not only as a witness to the voyages of ships of the past, but also as a continuously illuminated signpost for the present.
That's all for my post this time, thank you.
Regards @nazaroel