The Culemborg Lookout Tower

This lookout tower built in 1839 as a watch post for arriving ships at the port in the 19th century. It is located on the west bank of the mouth of Ciliwunbg River in Pasar Ikan area ( Fish Market ) on the northen cost of Jakarta. The name " Culemborg " was taken from the Culemborg bastion built in 1645 at the same location where this tower is located now which formed part the of old walled city of old Batavia in 17th century.

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The two white warehouses behind the tower were the part of the former VOC shipyard and were demolished in 1981 for new cannal digging that runs paralel to Jl. Pakin. Jl. Pakin that now crosses over the Ciliwung and runs between the tower and the warehouse -did not exist yet in 19th century since it was built i the early 1940's. Today this tower is still exist but visitors is not allowed to enter inside.

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Source : Scott Merrillees -Batavia in The Nineteenth Century Photography ( 2004)