History
Fort de Kock in 1826
The city was known as Fort de Kock during colonial times in reference to the Dutch outpost established here in 1825 during the Padri War. The fort was founded by Captain Bauer at the top of Jirek hill and later named after the then Lieutenant Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, Hendrik Merkus de Kock. The first road connecting the region with the west coast was built between 1833 and 1841 via the Anai Gorge, easing troop movements, cutting the costs of transportation and providing an economic stimulus for the agricultural economy. In 1856 a teacher-training college (Kweekschool) was founded in the city, the first in Sumatra, as part of a policy to provide educational opportunities to the indigenous population. A rail line connecting the city with Payakumbuh and Padang was constructed between 1891 and 1894.
During the Japanese occupation of Indonesia in World War II, the city was the headquarters for the Japanese 25th Army, the force which occupied Sumatra. The headquarters was moved to the city in April 1943 from Singapore, and remained until the Japanese surrender in August 1945.
During the Indonesian National Revolution, the city was the headquarters for the Emergency Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PDRI) from December 19, 1948 to July 13, 1949. During the second ‘Police Action’ Dutch forces invaded and occupied the city on December 22, 1948, having earlier bombed it in preparation. The city was surrendered to Republican officials in December 1949 after the Dutch government recognized Indonesian sovereignty.
The city was officially renamed Bukittinggi in 1949, replacing its colonial name. From 1950 until 1957, Bukittinggi was the capital city of a province called Central Sumatra, which encompassed West Sumatra, Riau and Jambi. In February 1958, during a revolt in Sumatra against the Indonesian government, rebels proclaimed the Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PRRI) in Bukittinggi. The Indonesian government had recaptured the town by May the same year.
A group of Muslim men had planned to bomb a cafe in the city frequented by foreign tourists in October 2007, but the plot was aborted due to the risk of killing Muslim individuals in the vicinity. Since 2008 the city administration has banned Valentine’s Day and New Year’s celebrations as they consider them not in line with Minangkabau traditions or Islam, and can lead to “immoral acts” such as young couples hugging and kissing.
Administration
Bukittinggi is divided in 3 subdistricts (kecamatan), which are further divided into 5 villages (nagari) and 24 kelurahan. The subdistricts are:- Guguk Panjang, Mandiangin Koto Selayan, and Aur Birugo Tigo Baleh.
Transportation
Bukittinggi is connected to Padang by road, though a dysfunctional railway line also exists. For inner-city transport, Bukittinggi employs a public transportation system known as Mersi (Merapi Singgalang) and IKABE that connect locations within the city. The city also still preserves the traditional horse-cart widely known in the area as Bendi, although the use is limited and more popular to be used as vehicle for tourist, both domestic and foreign.Tourism
It is a city popular with tourists due to the climate and central location. Attractions within the city include:
Sianok Canyon
- Ngarai Sianok (Sianok Canyon)
- Lobang Jepang (Japanese Caves) – a network of underground bunkers & tunnels built by the Japanese during World War II
- Jam Gadang – a large clock tower built by the Dutch in 1926.
- Pasar Atas and Pasar Bawah – traditional markets in downtown.
- Taman Bundo Kanduang park. The park includes a replica Rumah Gadang (literally: big house, with the distinctive Minangkabau roof architecture) used as a museum of Minangkabau culture, and a zoo. The Dutch hilltop outpost Fort de Kock is connected to the zoo by the Limpapeh pedestrian overpass.
- Museum Rumah Kelahiran Bung Hatta (Museum of Bung Hatta Birthplace) – the house where Indonesian founding fatherMohammad Hatta was born, now a museum.
History of Jam Gadang in Bukit Tinggi , West Sumatera
Jam Gadang Bukittinggi is a landmark of the city and the province of West Sumatra in Indonesia. Symbols typical of West Sumatra is also has a unique story and because he is already tens of years.Jam Gadang built in 1926 by architect Yazin and Sutan Gigi Ameh. Laying the first stone this day is done, son Rook Maker is the first time was still the age of 6 years. Jam is a gift from the Queen of the Netherlands to Controleur (City Secretary).Special symbols and Bukittinggi West Sumatra has a unique story and journey in history. This can be from the ornaments on the Jam Gadang. In the Dutch colonial period, this clock-shaped ornament, and rounded on top of standing rooster statue. During the Japanese occupation, hours turned into jewelry pagoda. While in the period after independence, ornamennya shape changed with the return of gonjong traditional Minangkabau house.
The numbers on the day also has its own uniqueness. Figures on the number four is usually written with the Roman IV, but in Jam Gadang with show IIII.
from tower of Jam Gadang, the tourists can see a panorama of the city of Bukittinggi consists of hills, valleys, and building a line in the middle of my city to be missed.
Built entirely at the cost of reaching 3000 Gulden with the adjustments and renovations from time to time. Era when the Netherlands was first built and the roof-shaped and rounded chicken statue stands above jantan.Sedangkan when the Japanese changed again with a pagoda-shaped, and after the independence of the changes to traditional Minangkabau house.
Every day hundreds of people tried in the location Jam Gadang. There is a photographer amatiran, which sells a balloon, and even find auto loads (public) to be taken to other tourist locations in Bukittinggi.
“Jam Gadang this always brings a blessing to us every day to work as a fitter and seller balloon photos here. That’s why this is a day of pomp Minang hours,” said Afrizal, one of the amateur photographer around the clock Gadang.
To reach this location, the tourists can use the land line. From the city of Padang to Bukittinggi, travel can be more or less during the 2 hour trip using public transport. After reaching the city Bukittinggi, travel can be resumed by using the city’s transportation to the location Jam Gadang.
More About Jam Gadang:
Glance, may not have the rarity of hours at 26 meters is. Moreover, if kept in shape, because the clock only Gadang rounded shape with a diameter of 80 centimeters, in the basement crutch
basic measuring 13 x 4 meters, like a monument or monuments. Because of the size the other day from this habit, it is very suitable as the Jam Gadang which means big day.Do not even have the odd thing when I saw a number of Roman Clock Gadang. But try again more carefully in the Roman number four. Have seen something that appears to deviate from the grip. Properly, write the number four with the Roman symbol IV. But at the time Gadang even made into a number of row four (IIII). Writing a patron outside the roman numerals are to be covered at this time is still a mystery. But unique, anomaly in the number of clock Gadang even create a more “challenging” and mark each move of the (accident) and find out memperhatikannya. Even more unique, sometimes appears a question whether this old and ancient patron or errors and or or
another. From a variety of information in the community, the number four is the odd interpret as a number of victims who become tumbal during development. Or imply that there are, four carpenters workers making Jam Gadang died hours after the finish. Also reasonable, because the days are made from materials of white cement mixed egg white.
If there are errors when examined score IV, of course there is still the possibility of aligning the list of mysteries. But at least it seems to be necessary.
Hours as a gift from the Queen of the Netherlands to controleur (secretary of the city), and created hours of expert uncle Sam United States, the possibility of error is very small. But leave it a mystery with many confidential.
However, that should be more, engine clock Gadang also believed there are only two in the world. Kembarannya of course that is currently installed on the Big Ben, UK. Machines that work manually by the author, Forman (majordomo famous) name Brixlion.
Now back to the Roman number four, is making the number four is the odd number by the author, who also does not have to know. But that also should note that this time Gadang laying the first stone made by a child aged six years old, son
Rook first controleur Maker who served in the Netherlands when it Bukittinggi.
While still in the Dutch colonial period, the peak time Gadang megahnya connected with the statue of a rooster. However, when the Netherlands and less turnover kolonialis occurred in Indonesia to Japan, the top is replaced with the form of a pagoda. Furthermore when the period of independence, the top of the pagoda-style roof was replaced derived bagonjong traditional Minangkabau house
This hotel provides a swimming pool, kid’s club, volley ball field, basket corner, table tennis, billiard, 7 Meeting rooms are available with 1 Convention Center up to 1000 persons, 24-hour Business Corner and WiFi access on public area (03/09 CB).All 98 rooms and suite have stunning views of Sianok canyon, town and the surrounding volcanoes. Medium in size rooms are adequately decorated and are in good condition. Not luxurious, but nevertheless rooms are comfortable. They feature TV with cable network, high speed internet connection (chargeable), coffee & tea maker, air condition, IDD telephone and mini bar. Hills Bukittinggi was formerly known as Novotel Bukittinggi Hotel. It is is located in the center of the mountainous town of Bukittinggi, only 60kms from Minangkabau International Airport and only 0 Kilometer from jam gadang (Clock Tower), as Land Mark of Bukittinggi. The open,air main restaurant features local Padang specialities, Indonesian dishes and International Cuisines. The resort is a perfect blend of Moorish and Minangkabau architectural styles. Lobby is large in size.
basic measuring 13 x 4 meters, like a monument or monuments. Because of the size the other day from this habit, it is very suitable as the Jam Gadang which means big day.Do not even have the odd thing when I saw a number of Roman Clock Gadang. But try again more carefully in the Roman number four. Have seen something that appears to deviate from the grip. Properly, write the number four with the Roman symbol IV. But at the time Gadang even made into a number of row four (IIII). Writing a patron outside the roman numerals are to be covered at this time is still a mystery. But unique, anomaly in the number of clock Gadang even create a more “challenging” and mark each move of the (accident) and find out memperhatikannya. Even more unique, sometimes appears a question whether this old and ancient patron or errors and or or
another. From a variety of information in the community, the number four is the odd interpret as a number of victims who become tumbal during development. Or imply that there are, four carpenters workers making Jam Gadang died hours after the finish. Also reasonable, because the days are made from materials of white cement mixed egg white.
If there are errors when examined score IV, of course there is still the possibility of aligning the list of mysteries. But at least it seems to be necessary.
Hours as a gift from the Queen of the Netherlands to controleur (secretary of the city), and created hours of expert uncle Sam United States, the possibility of error is very small. But leave it a mystery with many confidential.
However, that should be more, engine clock Gadang also believed there are only two in the world. Kembarannya of course that is currently installed on the Big Ben, UK. Machines that work manually by the author, Forman (majordomo famous) name Brixlion.
Now back to the Roman number four, is making the number four is the odd number by the author, who also does not have to know. But that also should note that this time Gadang laying the first stone made by a child aged six years old, son
Rook first controleur Maker who served in the Netherlands when it Bukittinggi.
While still in the Dutch colonial period, the peak time Gadang megahnya connected with the statue of a rooster. However, when the Netherlands and less turnover kolonialis occurred in Indonesia to Japan, the top is replaced with the form of a pagoda. Furthermore when the period of independence, the top of the pagoda-style roof was replaced derived bagonjong traditional Minangkabau house
The Food in Bukittinggi
1. Itiak Lado Mudo The Hot Spicy Food From Bukittinggi
When you are a fan of hot and spicy foof maybe you should eat Itiak Lado Mudo. Itiak Lado Mudo or Itiak Lado Ijau itself is a duck meat in green pepper curry. It is very hottest spicy food, just to remember that you have to brought a lot of tissues to wipe out your sweats. It is an angel but also a demon taste of food, even you try to watering the duck meat the hot and spicy flavor will not remove from it.
Everything so perfect, the hot spicy flavor and a soft duck meat are mingle in one tone taste, and also its will serve with a slice of cucumbers and karupuak jangek. Karupuak jangek is a chips from skin of cows.
Just come and taste the itiak lado mudo at Rumah Makan Ngarai which locate at Jalan Ngarai Binuang, Bukittinggi- Indonesia. It is at Ngarai Sianok bottom level exactly took place. Very nice place for your culinary tourism and also nature tourism, and don’t worry if you want to brought as a souvenir the frozen itiak lado mudo are serve to carry back home.
2. Rendang The Minang Cuisine
Rendang or ‘Randang’ in minang language is the famous cuisine from Minangkabau, not only in Indonesia but also at overseas. Rendang always served at Minangkabau ceremonial occasion, it is one of some peculiar foods that Minangkabau have. Rendang mostly made from beef, but sometimes chicken, duck, water buffalo, mutton or even some of vegetables like jack fruit also could be another kind of Rendang.
To make Rendang we need a lot of spices, which are: ginger, garlic, red anions, chillies (red and ghost chillies), lemon grass, galangal/ wild ginger, turmeric leaves, nutmeg and others. Then we need coconut milks to mix all spices with beef. Making wet Rendang or also known as ‘Kalio’ not take much time to cook. But when we want dried Rendang are need two or three days cooking, it can be kept for three or four months without moldy.
Hotel in Bukittinggi
1. The Hills Hotel Bukittinggi
- The Hills
2. Pusako Hotel Bukittinggi
With its central location, Pusako Hotel is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Padang. The Pusako Hotel boasts a convenient location with modern amenities in every guestroom and superb service. Each of the hotel’s guestrooms offers inhouse movies, hair dryer, television, separate shower and tub, balcony/terrace, satellite/cable TV.Services and amenities available for guests at this Padang accommodation consist of meeting facilities , restaurant, family room. Hotel’s guests can experience on-site latest leisure and sports facilities such as outdoor pool .These top-class facilities are complemented to excellent services to meet the needs of visitors to Padang. For your reservation at the Pusako Hotel Padang, please select your dates of stay and fill in our secure online booking form.
3. Campago Resort Hotel Bukittinggi
Campago Resort Hotel distance 60KM from Minangkabau International Airport. 10 minutes drive to Clock Tower, the centre of Bukittinggi City. Our Hotel located top of the Campago Hill. So we can see view of the Merapi and Singgalang Mountain.
