- Address: Fort Margherita, Petra Jaya, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
- Website: www.brookegallery.org
- E-mail: brookegallery@brooketrust.org
- Date of construction: 1879
- Working hours: without days off, on weekdays from 9:00 to 16:45, on weekends from 10:00 to 16:00
Margarita is an old fort in Kuching (Sarawak state) in Malaysia . It is interesting both for its unique history and architecture. In addition, today it houses the Brook Gallery, whose exposition is dedicated to the reign of the dynasty of the same name.
A bit of history
Fort Margarita was built in 1879 to protect Kuching from pirates by order of the second rajah of Sarawak, Sir Charles Brook. The fort was named after Sir Charles's wife, Margarita's wound (Marguerite), Alice Lily de Vint.
This English fortress was erected to protect against pirates and any other incursions. Before the Japanese attack in 1941, the clock tower was rising every night to the fort tower, which reported hourly, from 8 pm and 5 am, that everything was in order, sentry at the Court House, the Treasury and the Astana Palace .
Reconstruction of the fort
Fort Margarita was opened after reconstruction in 2014. The restoration process lasted 14 months. Reconstruction took place under the aegis and under the control of the Department of National Heritage and the Museum of Sarawak . Managed the process, Michael Boone, chairman of the Malaysian Institute of Architects.
During the reconstruction it was found out that during the 20th century the fort was being rebuilt. The fort was not only restored to its original form, but also fortified and protected: since Kuchang is famous for its record number of precipitation for Malaysia, a special waterproofing of the walls and foundations of the fortress was carried out.
Appearance of the building
Fort Margarita is built in the form of an English castle. He stands on a hill and rises above the surroundings; with a view of the Sarawak River. Fort, surrounded by a mighty wall, consists of a tower and a courtyard. The structure is made of white brick, which for these places is quite rare (usually here it was built of iron wood).
The windows in the fort wall are wooden; they could be used as loopholes (in this case guns were exhibited in them). The tower has 3 floors.
Brook Gallery
Brook Gallery was created by the joint efforts of the Museum of Sarawak, the Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture and Jason Brooke, grandson of Raja. The museum contains historical documents, artifacts and works of art from the reign of the White Rajah - Charles Brook. The gallery opened on September 24, 2016, on the 175th anniversary of the founding of the state of Malaysia.
How to get to Fort Margarita?
Getting to the fort from Kuching is very simple: on the shore you can rent a boat, and from the pier to the fort itself you can walk 15 minutes. Kuching from Kuala Lumpur can be reached by air for 1 hour 40 minutes (direct flights fly about 20-22 times a day). The entrance to the fort and the museum is free. The fortress is open daily (except for national and religious holidays ).