Pattimura Memorial

Thomas Matulessy, a native from the island of Saparua was named Pattimura who rebelled against the Dutch in 1817. He was almost successful in taking over the strong Dutch Duurstede fort in Saparua. In the early morning of the 15 of May of that year, Pattimura with his followers, besieged and over ran the fort, killing all the soldiers and civilians, leaving alive the youngest son of van den Berg, the Resident of kasteel Duurstede.
Pattimura was later betrayed by one of the rajas (village heads) in Saparua, and with some of his followers was handed over to the Dutch authorities and transferred to Ambon. After their trial they were sent to the gallows. Pattimura is acknowledged later as an Indonesian national hero.
The Pattimura Memorial was built at the spot where he was executed. It is on Jalan Slamet Rijadi close to the Governor's Office and Fort Victoria.

Fort Victoria

This is an old fort from where the City of Ambon came in to exist. The Portuguese constructed it in 1575, and later, the Dutch took it over in 1602.
Today, the huge walls facing the bay are still exist, while the other parts of the fort are in ruins. The old buildings inside are rebuilt to be the residences for the Indonesian army officers and soldiers.
It is an easy walk to the site when you are in the downtown area.

Slamet Riyadi Statue

In 1950 Lieutenant Colonel Slamet Rijadi was given the task to be the Operation Commander to eliminate the RMS separatist. In the effort to seize the Ambon city especially the Victoria Fort from the separatist, he was shot on November 3,1950, and passed away the same day. The statue was built to commemorate his fight.

Rumphius Monument

George Everhard Rumpf, (Rumphius), is well known for his pioneering research of Ambonese flora and fauna. Rumphius lived most of his life in Ambon, from 1660 to 1670. He was a Germany who served in the Dutch army. He conducted his research in Hila village and lived next to Fort Amsterdam. One of his greatest works is titled Het Ambonsch Kruidboek (The biological Vegetation). The book describes scientifically in detail the vegetation in Maluku. Besides fauna and flora, Rumphius also wrote about the history of Maluku. In 1702 Rumphius passed away at his house located at the street, J now known as Jalan Pattimura. His memorial is built in SMU Xaverius complex in Ambon at Jalan Pattimura.
Martha Christina Tiahahu Monument (Historical heritage)
The independence patriot Martha Christina Tiahahu is an acknowledged as a national heroine in Indonesia. Martha Christina Tiahahu fought side by side with her father t|| repel Dutch colonialism in the archipelago. When the Dutch caught and executed her father on the tiny island of Nusalaut, south -east of Saparua, she was taken to Java by ship to work in a tea & coffee plantations. On the ship she refused any food, and mourning over her father's execution. She passed away on the 2nd of Jan. 1818, at the age of just 18. Her body was buried at sea to give her final rest.
To reach her memorial, take a minibus to Karangpanjang. From above of this memorial one has a beautiful panorama of the city, the Blue Amboina Bay, and the rugged hills of the Leihitu Peninsula.

Trikora Monument

It was built in 1962 to commemorate the success of the struggle to set the Irian Jaya free from the Colonialism.

Siwalima Museum

This museum was founded November 8 ,1973. It is located on Taman Makmur hill.
Maluku's heritage is preserved and displayed in this museum. Most of the collection comes from South - East Maluku. There are collections of ethnographic, historical, cultural, and scientific interest. These include ancient and modern objects, a marine exhibit and a complete whale skeleton. The museum is located only 3 kms west of the down town. To get there, one can board Taman Makmur minibus or Amahusu minibus, with a stop at Taman Makmur or Batu Capeo.
Upon special request, one can watch the local music, dance performances, and hand weaving demonstrations.
Museum visiting hours are as follows:
Tuesday 8.30 am - 1 pm
Wednesday to Friday 9 am - 11 am
Saturday 8.30 am - 12 am
Sunday 12 am - 3 pm.
You are allowed to take picture inside the museum, with a certain charge. Further information is available at place.

Doolan Memorial

This memorial was built to commemorate the Australian soldiers who died during the battle with the Japanese on Ambon Island. Doolan an Australian serviceman, had shot down a considerable number of Japanese soldiers in the Second World War, while his comrades were retreating. Unfortunately the Japanese discovered his hiding spot and killed him.They forbade the villagers to bury his body, but later that evening someone took courage and buried his remains under the gandaria tree where the present memorial is located, in Kudamati. The bronze plaque and the replica of the RSL badge were presented by the Gull Force Association to Colonel Latumahina the Governor of Maluku at that time, for the people of Ambon. The memorial's land was donated by the people of Kudamati. One will pass this memorial when taking a minibus to Kudamati. The memorial is known as Tugu Doolan or Doolan for short.

Hitu Village

Hitu was the main Harbour in the island of Ambon during the early days of the spice trade, long before European ships came to the spice islands. The merchants from China, Arabia and other parts of now Indonesia entered Ambon island through this main Harbour. To control the trade ships entering the Harbour and passing the strait between Ambon island and Huamual peninsula, the Dutch built the Amsterdam Fort in Hila, where the Portuguese had their Loji (store house) before.

Commonwealth War Cemetery

The Commonwealth War Cemetery is located in Kapahaha Tantui, 2 kms from the down town. The land on which the graves are located, was donated by the citizens of Ambon to be used as a burial ground for the fallen soldiers and servicemen who gave their lives to defend against the Japanese threat in the 2nd World War.
This cemetery is well kept. Every celebration of ANZAC Day, April 25, is held at this spot. This is an event to commemorate the servicemen and women who fell during the First and Second World War. Many friends, relatives and veterans come to pay tribute to the men and women who lay buried in this cemetery. All minibus leaving the centre of the city to the north-east direction will pass by the cemetery since it is located on the main road.

Wapauwe Mosque in Kaitetu

It is said, that this mosque was once built high up on the hill, but later in 1414, was moved down by an unknown supernatural power to its present location in Kaitetu. Today, the mosque is still being used for daily services. One can get to Kaitetu by taking a Hila-Kaitetu minibus.

Beringin Memorial

At the other side, a former members of Japanese Troop planted a Beringin tree in 1994 also in Tawiri as a memorial to commemorate their task in Tawiri. Since 1994, every June, they come to visit this memorial with their families, friends and relatives . To visit the memorial, take a Laha minibus and disembark in Tawiri village, near the Pattimura airport.

Australia Monument

In Tawiri village next to Pattimura Airport, there is an Australian Monument to commemorate the battle during World War II, against the Japanese soldiers. Every year, on the ANZAC Day, APRIL 25, the Australian pilgrimages visit this monument. To get there, take a Laha minibus and disembark in the village of Tawiri.

Amsterdam Fortress

Amsterdam fortress was built by the Dutch during the early years of the Spice Trade in early 17th Century. It is located near the spot where the old Hila Church was. Amsterdam Fortress was the second Dutch fort built on the island of Ambon after Kasteel Van Verre near Seith was destroyed. Fort Amsterdam was built after the Vereenigde Oost Indische Compagnie, (VOC) was established by the Heeren Zeventien in Holland.
The famous blind naturalist and historian G.E. Rumphius, live a life of a prince in this fort, where he wrote books about the Flora and Fauna of Ambon. This fort was renovated in 1993. There is a small museum with interpretive displays on the ground.