Fort Rotterdam not only contains some interesting buildings, an arts centre and the La Galigo museum but also provides a quiet haven away from the noisier parts of town. In the late afternoon and evening you can often find young people playing music or rehearsing for theatre performances. The King of Gowa built the fort in 1545. After other forts in the area were destroyed in 1669, Fort Rotterdam was taken over by the Dutch. In 1937 it lost its military function and was handed over to the Fort Rotterdam Foundation for cultural purposes.