Benteng Indra Patra | Indra Patra Fort

Along the road east of Banda Aceh leading to Malahayati harbour one can visit three historic sites which testify of the heroic struggle of the Acehnese against foreign invaders. The first of these sites is the Indra Patra Fort, actually part of a defence system consisting of three forts at different compass directions from town. It is constructed of chalk rock and played an important role in the defense against the Portuguese. The fort consists of two parts. One part must have been the barracks housing the soldiers. Within the walled yard of 70 x 70 m2 there are two covered wells still containing clear water. The other part, closer to the sea and measuring 35 x 35 m2, evidently held the cannons to attack enemy ships. It has embrasures in the seaward walls and a thick-walled and thick-roofed shed which we think was the ammunition store. We thought the fort was built against the Portuguese invaders and therefore some 400 years old. And seeing its condition we surmised that at some time restoration work must have been done on it. But then we found a website in Indonesian language – wisatamelayu.com – stating that it was built in the 7th century AD by the pre-islamic Lamuri kingdom. The same website indeed mentions recent renovation efforts by the Aceh government, and reports that a gate was destroyed by the tsunami. Address: Ladong village, Masjid Raya district, Aceh Besar regency Directions: About 20 km norts-east of town. With public transport, take a labi-labi (minibus) direction Krueng Raya. With own transport, follow Daud Beureuh street out of town. When facing a T-crossing at a river bank turn left direction Malahayati harbour. At about 20 km from town a weathered signboard points to the fort at the coast.

Attractions Historic sites historic sites, indra pratra, krueng ray