Jumat, 24 September 2010

Villa Juliana: A Forgotten Historical Heritage of Watan Soppeng, South Sulawesi; Demanding for Attention

Villa Yuliana 
 
Villa Yuliana merupaka salah satu bangunan peninggalan Belanda di Kabupaten Soppeng, bangunan ini terletak di jantung kota Watansoppeng dibangun oleh C.A.KROESEN Tahun 1905 selaku Gubernur Pemerintahan Hindia Belanda di Sulawesi.
Konstruksi dan arsitektur bangunan ini merupakan perpaduan gaya Eropa dan gaya Bugis.
Villa Yuliana ini merupakan bangunan kembar, satu diantaranya ada di Nederland, pembangunan Villa ini merupakan wujud kecintaan terhadap Ratu Yuliana.

Villa Yuliana
(sumber: www.soppeng.go.id) 


juliana1A REPORT FROM SITE VISIT ON THE OCCASION OF THE GROUP HOME-RETURN (REWE’ SIPULUNG) SEMINAR,, WATAN SOPPENG, 1ST JULY, 2003
By: Hafied Gany
INTRODUCTION
Soppeng is one of the former kingdoms in South Sulawesi — with the Capital Town of Watan Soppeng – The history of Soppeng Kingdom was started 742 years back, when the first king, La Temmamala was enthroned in 1261. During the Dutch Time, at the turn of The 19th Century till Indonesia’s independence, the Soppeng Kingdom had been steadily ruled with an extensive local autonomy recognized by the Netherland-Indie’s Government. Since then, Soppeng Kingdom had experienced decent and prosperous governance and subsequently, the Kingdom transformed into a Kabupaten (Regency) Government Administration in the 1960’s. During which, Watan Soppeng had a pride for being gratified by the Dutch Government as a decent town referred to as “Bandoeng van Celebes” – having had many similarities with its sister city, Bandoeng (Paris van Java), as famously branded during the Dutch time.
A while after the birth of Her Royal Highness Queen Juliana, Soppeng Kingdom again had a most honourable privilege for being bestowed by Her Royal Highness Queen Wilhelmina with a monumental Building (with Dutch architectural style) erected at an eye catching landmark of Watan Soppeng. The building had been utilized as the official residence of the Dutch Controller. (It was said that this honourable grant was the only of its kind in the entire territory of the Netherlands Indie at that time). Today, the building is still in its original shape and has been utilized as the Local Government guesthouse (locally re-known as Villa Juliana or Mess Tinggia in local language). Whatever the reason behind the honourable gift, there must be a strategic rationale that could directly explains the strategic importance of Soppeng Kingdom during that time.
In an attempt to seek alternative endeavours for reinventing the wheel of the “Bandoeng van Celebes” nostalgia, a community group of “Soppeng Regency (South Sulawesi)” who are permanently residing and working in Bandung – on various Government Sectors, NGOs, Professionals, Universities, and Private Sectors, with the consent of the Local Autonomous Government (Bupati Kabupaten Soppeng) had arranged a “Group Home-Return-Program ”(Rewe’ Sipulung –2003) at the first week of July 2003.
The highlight of the program is “A-One-Day Seminar”, which was held on July 1st, 2003 having the main topic of: “Development Perspective of Soppeng Regency toward Materialization of Local Autonomy”. Through some field visits, attention has been attracted to one of the historical heritages of Soppeng Regency, which is Villa Juliana that had been identified as being under the severely deteriorated and badly demanding for attention. This report has been prepared for illustrating the present status, condition of the heritage with some historical background information and some recommendations for calling our attention and concern to rendering whatever efforts for renovating the forgotten historical heritage.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Juliana Villa is located at the hilly landmark of Jalan Merdeka of Watan Soppeng, the capital town of Soppeng Regency, under the local government administration of village Botto, District of Lalabata. This town landmark is renowned by local community as Villa Yuliana or Mess Tinggia, a landmark building, which is erected at the top of a hill, in local language. This landmark was constructed in 1905 (Pananrangi Hamid, 1991:203), during the term of The Netherlands Colonial Governor of Celebes, Mr. C.A. Kroesen. It was said that the building, beside it status as a special gift from Her Royal Highness Queen Wilhelmina of The Netherlands, it was also considered as a symbolic submission of power from the Soppeng Kingdom to The Dutch Colonial Government. In this context, the Soppeng Kingdom was considered as one of the local kingdoms in Southern Celebes, that had been agreed to sign The Treaty for Submission of Power to the Dutch Colonial Government (Korte Veklaring). Later in 1908, the entire Local Government Kingdoms in Southern Celebes were integrated into the Dutch Colonial Government Administration (ibid, 237).
Following the administrative structure of the “Netherlands Indie” of 1941, the Administrative Territory of Soppeng was set up as a Sub-Regency (Onder Afdeling) under the Regency of Bone (Afdeling Bone), covering the following district: Lalabata, Liliriaja, Lilirilau, Pattojo, Citta, Marioriawa, and Marioriwawo (Ibid, 339).
Upon the signing of the Treaty for Submission of Power, the Dutch Colonial Government erected the Juliana Villa, which was also intended to be the official residence of The Dutch Colonial Officer in the Onder Afdeling. Soppeng
According to some information, the Juliana Villa was initially prepared for accommodation of the Queen at the visit to South Celebes, but due to the security condition during the War, the Queen’s visit had never been materialized. Nevertheless, the villa was still utilized as the official residence of the Dutch Officers.
From 1957 to 1992 Villa Juliana had never been occupied. Before that period, the surrounding land area (yard and park of the villa) was utilized to put up some public buildings, including government houses and a kindergarten. This had made the scenic beauty of the Soppeng landmark was practically disappeared. Then, from 1992 to 1995 the building was utilized as the lodging house for young officers of the Local Government, Police Officers, and Fire Fighting Officers.
Re-inventory and Re-zoning of the Building
Following the Indonesian Law No. 5/1992 about Historical and Cultural Heritages, and Article No. 23 sub article 23 of the Government Regulation No. 10/1993 and Ministerial Decree of The Minister of Education and Culture 063/0/1/1995, the Provincial Government of South Sulawesi had conducted a re-inventory and re-zoning of the land areas (yard and parks) Villa Juliana for preventing and protecting the historical heritage from inappropriate utilization. For the above purpose, the local Government of Soppeng Regency is planning to undertake restoration of the building and its appurtenance structures back to its original shape and looking forward to make use of the building as a cultural centre and to keep all the ancient heritages of Soppeng as a museum as well as a distinct landmark for anyone approaching the historical capital town of Watan Soppeng.
As part of the plan, an effort has been initiated for rezoning of the land’s area of Villa Juliana — which was registered as a historical heritage No. 448, and protected by Law No. No. 5/1992 – This effort was conducted on May 2, 2000 by the Agency for Protection of Historical and Cultural Heritages of South and Southeast Sulawesi. The result of this effort will be utilized to support planning for subsequent reconstruction, protection and preservation as well as sustainable maintenance of the historical heritage and its related environment dedicated to the present and future generations.
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Figure 1. Imaginary (rough) sketch of Villa Juliana after restoration
Problems and Constraints
The fact that Villa Juliana is located at the hill most top of Watan Soppeng — following the Spatial Planning of the Local Government of Soppeng within 1999-2008 and the Local Government Regulation No. 4/1994 about Spatial Planning of Lalebata District — the lands in the vicinity of Village Juliana has been determined as residential public areas, including the permit of the former Local Government for “Telkom” State Owned Company to build a Digital Telephone Station within the land area of the villa (Permit No. 3961/KDSI/ 1989). This condition has been hindering the effort for preserving and refurbishing Villa Juliana and its related vicinities.
The structural data and information of the building, as-built-drawing, and other technical specifications as well as historical of technical background are not available at all. In fact, this series of information are badly needed in order to be able to facilitate designing the restoration works while maintaining the originality of the structure as well as the architecture of the building.
Other problems are associated with the needs for resettlement and relocation of some public facilities and housings around the complex, which were constructed by the local authority immediately after the war. This matter urgently needs rearrangement of spatial planning by considering the original land use for the yard and the park of the villa at the time when it was constructed earlier in 1905.
Technical Feature and Condition of the Building
Villa Juliana was constructed with permanent type (typically Dutch style building) of two-storied building. The first floor consists of cement pavement tile, while the second floor with timber structure, finished with first-class floorboard. The roof of the building was originally made of tile with a steep slope. At present the roof covers with asbestos sheets, painted with brown colour. As most European type of houses, Villa Juliana also provided with chimney, however, it was only intended as a decorative symbol of European style of houses, and never have been functioned.
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Figure 2. Front view (seen from West) of Villa Juliana (3 July, 2003)
The first floor area consists of two rooms separated by corridor in between with a total area of 56m2. The first floor also provided with a bathroom, a kitchen and sitting (dining) room.
Both the first and the second floor are provided with verandas or balconies, which are supported by four squared pillars of 70 to 70cm size. Part of the first floor entrance is used for lining a wooden stair to the second floor. The wall consisted of 30cm brick wall with a vertical type of windows on it giving impression of toll and lean shape. The front entrance provided with two doors, one of which is connected to the right-side room, the other room is connected to the corridor. Just at the end of the corridor to the backyard there is a door with two windows. At the outside of the door on right side, there is a permanent outdoor-masonry stepladder to get access to the second floor from back yard. At the back yard, separated from the main building, there is an extended house consisted of several rooms and a water reservoir.
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Figure 3. Rear view (seen from East) of Village Juliana – under the highly deteriorated condition (July 3, 2003)
Overall Condition: At the time of the visit, the overall condition of the building and appurtenance structures are under the severely damaged due to aging and practically no maintenance works has been rendered so far. Some parts of the roof are badly damaged and even covered by wild vegetations. Parts of the wooden materials of the second floor structure are badly deteriorated and can no longer be utilized without a significant restoration.
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Figure 4. Back door; with stained wall Figure 5. Damaged back door
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Figure 6. Kitchen door with stained wall Figure 7. Side door; stained wall
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Figure 8. Damaged ceiling Figure 9. Back door; stained wall
Preventive Measures: As a preventive measure, the Local Government has made some endeavours, at least to collect data and information, including zoning and mapping, fencing and setting notice board as well as recruitment of daily labourers to watch the building from potential vandalism.
Rezoning of the building and appurtenance facilities: Three categories of zones have been determined: (1) Main or restricted zone; (2) Buffer zone; and (3) Limited Development zone. The main or restricted zone will be preserved and highly restricted for any new construction. This zone is determined at the map with the distance of 62m to the North side, 50m to the East side, 70m to the South, and 40m to the West side, totalling of 2,970m2. The buffer zone will be reserved as a free area at the average of 5.50 m beyond the restricted zone and will be bordered by permanent fence that matched with the structure, architecture and scenery of the park/yard. The limited development zone will be freed from building in the long run, while the existing building will be relocated to other location on fair compensation basis. For this, no new buildings and constructions are allowed in this zone.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
The Juliana Villa is located at the hilly landmark of Watan Soppeng, the capital town of Soppeng Regency, under the local government administration of village Botto, District of Lalabata. This town landmark is renowned by local community as Villa Yuliana or Mess Tinggia or a landmark building, which is erected at the top of a hill, in local language. This landmark was constructed in 1905, during the term of Netherlands Colonial Governor of Celebes, Mr. C.A. Kroesen.
Through a long history, the villa has been utilized for official residence of The Dutch Colonial Officer in the Onder Afdeling Soppeng. From 1957 to 1992 Villa Juliana had never been occupied. In fact, during the period, a number of public buildings were constructed within the land area of the villa, without considering appropriate spatial planning. This had made the scenic beauty of the historical landmark of Watan Soppeng was nearly disappeared. From 1992 to 1995 the building was only utilized as the lodging house for young officers of the Local Government, Police Officers, and Fire Fighting Officers and yet, without appropriate maintenance.
At present, the overall condition of the building and appurtenance structures are under the severely damaged due to aging and practically no maintenance works has been rendered so far. Some parts of the roof are badly damaged and covered by wild vegetations. Parts of the wooden materials of the second floor structure are badly deteriorated and can no longer be utilized without a considerable restoration.
Under such an alarming condition, it is not an exaggeration to say that within not too long, this historical heritage of Soppeng Regency will become completely deteriorated and vanish from the memory of the future generation. Under the SOS condition, The Juliana Villa is crying to seek our help, concern and attention.
The current local Government of Soppeng Regency badly needs our support for undertaking restoration of the building and its appurtenance structures and looking forward to utilizing the building as a cultural centre and to keep all of the ancient heritages of Soppeng as a museum as well as a distinct landmark for anyone approaching the historical capital town of Watan Soppeng.
Bandung, 1 August, 2003.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Anonim, Pedoman Studi Pemintakatan Benda Cagar Budaya, Makalah.
______, Undang-Undang Benda Cagar Budaya No. 5 Tahun 1992. Peraturan Pemerintah No. 10 Tahun 1993.
______, Pola Perkembangan Kota dan Arsitektur Ujung Pandang, BAPPEDA Ujung Pandang, 1991.
______, RUTR 1999-2008 (Kawasan Kota BWK A, B, C, D) Kabupaten
Soppeng, Dinas Tata Ruang – Kabupaten Soppeng, 1999.
Eko Biharjo, Arsitektur Sebagai Warisan Budaya, Djambatan, Jakarta, 1997.
Pananrangi Hamid, Sejarah Kabupaten Soppeng, Balai Kajian Sejarah dan Nilai-nilai Tradisional, Ujung Pandang, 1991.
Ronald Arya, “Arsitektur Indo”, Pelestarian dan Pemanfaatan Bangunan Indis,
IAAI, Yogyakarta, 1997.
Suaka Peninggalan Sejarah Sulselra, 2000. Pemintakatan Situs Villa Yuliana Di Kabupaten Soppeng, 28 Agustus 2000.
Sudartha, Konsevasi Lingkungan dan Bangunan Kuno Bersejarah di Surakarta, Gajah Mada University Press, Yogyoakarta, 1989.

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