William’s Toren III, Dutch Lighthouse In Aceh

William’s Toren III, Dutch Lighthouse In Aceh - William’s Toren III stand on the most western village in Indonesia, Meulingge, Breuh Island. Built in 1875 when William III was a king (1817-1890).

William’s Toren III, Dutch Lighthouse In Aceh

Reasonably, if the name of the lighthouse it adopted the name of the King better known as Willem Alexander Paul Frederik Lodewijk, the leader of Luxemburg at that time. When he became King, Willem indeed actively build the economy and infrastructure in the region of Dutch East Indies, including Breuh Island.

The lighthouse was completed to coincide with the 65th birthday anniversary of William III. Not only this lighthouse, all buildings being completed at that time dedicated to the king. William’s Toren III or William Towers were also on the Hollands and the Caribbean. Now, the lighthouses in Caribbean and Aceh that still in use. William’s Toren III in Hollands has changed the function to the museum.

Despite decades-old, William’s Toren III remains sturdy. The 85-meter-tall tower is still in use. The tower located within a complex covering an area of 20 hectares. The settlement was once populated Dutch officers. Now, Willam's Toren was guarded by three officers who always swapped shift three months.

Behind the splendor of its history, to go to Willam's Toren III needs a challenge. The journey starts from the footpath in front of the Elementry School of Meulingge. The tracks directly uphill.

Sometimes a passenger or driver of a motorcycle forced down. The motorcycle will issue appropriate diverse voice type to conquer the hill elevation about 30 degrees. The next game was against the road rider contoured land filled with chunks of mountain stone on both sides of the vehicle lanes.

Approaching the lighthouse Willam's Toren, we will meet the intersection. Turn left to heading Willam's Toren and to the right when heading Ujung Pineung dock.

After getting the lighthouse, I asked permission to guard to go to the top of the lighthouse. I passed old buildings towards the Tower. The walls of the building now have been renovated, wood doors already painted again. Right in front of the building, some shelters made of iron water still sturdy, no water sources around the lighthouse.

Right above the entrance towers beacon writing temples of sentences in the language of the Netherlands. In English may be the translation is "A glorious tribute to William III. The King of the Netherlands at the same time the rulers of Luxemburg. Be peace in your journey. We admire all your courage. All life and struggles that you offer. GWEN ".

Once up the stairs, I finally arrive at the top of the tower. The large Tower lights caught my attention be the first sight. From the top of the Tower, Weh island clearly was seen. Some of the ships that crossed the sea are also seen.

We take off point of view for a moment rests on the edge of the top of the Tower in the loop around the bars of iron painted red. Look deep into the bottom of the sea is blue. Perhaps the tower was only the Dutch remains colonize building in the past. But for me, it's more than an extent of the lighthouse. This opened my eyes, Indonesia country where I was born and raised.