Fort Margherita

Fort Margherita
Fort Margherita - the main tower and the walls
General information
StatusCompleted
TypeFort
LocationKuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
Coordinates1°33′38″N 110°20′58″E / 1.56056°N 110.34944°E / 1.56056; 110.34944
Construction startedunknown
Completed1879
Cost$8,100 Sarawak dollar
OwnerGovernment of Sarawak
Technical details
Floor count3

Fort Margherita is a fort constructed in 1879 by Charles Brooke, the second Rajah of Sarawak, situated in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. The fort is an important landmark and monument in Sarawak's history which goes back to the century-old Brooke dynasty of Sarawak. The fort, built in the style of an English castle, was designed to protect Kuching from attacks by pirates. It served as a Police Museum from 1971 before being handed over to the Government of Sarawak and now is a tourist attraction in Kuching. The fort now houses the Brooke Gallery, an exhibition showcasing the history of Sarawak under the Brooke dynasty.

It is situated across the Sarawak River near The Astana, the official residence of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak, and is accessible by road. It is a 15-minute drive along Petra Jaya, or a short river cruise from Pangkalan Batu, in front of Main Bazaar on Kuching Waterfront and located next to the New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building. It is part of the Kuching Heritage Trail.