Small town in the Islands of Banda Neira is known to have the underwater sights are amazing. The islands are no longer familiar to fans of nautical tourism, especially those who like diving and snorkeling. The main attraction is the beauty of the islands marine park and its diversity of fauna and flora that live in it.
Banda Islands also have many tourist sites that are not less fascinating land, especially the historical sights. Various remains of the old buildings of the Portuguese and Dutch colonial period are still sturdy and well maintained. Walking the streets of Banda Naira, as if to bring Ana in the early 1900s with a relatively narrow city streets and deserted from passing vehicles. Narrowness of the streets of the city which only has a width of approximately 4 meters plus teduhnya large trees in some parts of the road makes a beautiful small town atmosphere in the early twentieth century is still felt.
Dense settlement which marks the changing times, is located in new areas and places that had always been famous as a center of economic activities, such as China and Kampung Baru Kampung. That’s where the market stands, school or other community residence. Cultural heritage buildings are generally located in Queen Village are centered around the Castle and the Palace Mini Belgica. Around the place are still many old houses stand are great.
One well-preserved old buildings are the Police Sector Banda islands. Despite its name the police station, the building did not show the usual police station. The architecture is maintained, only the colors are striking writings make old buildings look lively.
Banda Naira built by the Portuguese in the early sixteenth century, which was then developed by the Dutch. Banda Naira as the Netherlands to develop a European-style city, such as Port, nutmeg plantations, settlements of Dutch citizens and the leadership office of the VOC (Oost Vereenigde Indiesche companie) was built with the Dutch style of architecture.
Banda Naira is also used as a place of exile freedom fighters. Besides Mohammad Hatta and Sutan Sjahrir, another character who never shunned in Banda Naira is dr Cipto Mangunkusumo (1928), Iwa Kusumasumantri (1930) as well as several members of the Islamic Sarekat (SI) is discarded as a punishment for rebellion.
The houses are used as a place of exile of the figures are still well maintained. Similarly, the various household furnishings, equipment and photographs of working parents. Although the houses that once occupied the warrior is inhabited by someone else, you can freely enjoy and see the existing heritage.
In the house of Bung Hatta, who was refurbished in the year 1981-1983, you can trace the journey Discard engikuti Hatta during exile in Banda Naira between 1936 and 1942. Things that never used Bung Hatta, such as clothing, cap, eyeglasses, typewriters past, to home appliances, such as guest chairs, cupboards, dining, and the bed was still neatly arranged, as well as photos of family and Bung Hatta, neatly displayed in every room of the house.
On the back of the house there are benches Bung Hatta schools used to teach the children of Banda in terms of writing, reading, arithmetic and English. All courses are taught in Dutch. Near the location of the school there is a big keg Bung Hatta used for rainwater harvesting as a source of drinking water.
Similar conditions are also found in homes and places of exile Sutan Sjahrir Cipto Mangunkusumo dr. A number of heritage items during their exile in Banda Naira is still well-kept and orderly. Forms and original architecture bagunan maintained and become an attraction in itself. The windows are large, pillar-shaped pillar of the house and the ceiling height gives an impression that a solid and stately homes.
Not far from home dr Cipto Mangunkusumo, there is the Palace of the Mini. In the XVIII century Palace of the Mini would be used as residence and office of governor of the VOC. Today the palace is empty, after the last occupants, namely Camat Banda, who moved into new housing accommodation. In this huge building, a number of strokes in history still left an impression and what it is, as the former cannon fire pit and a letter from a Portuguese army. Cannon holes with a depth of tens of centimeters from the gunfire was coming from the direction of the Gulf of Banda and is located on the rear wall of the main room. While the letters of a Portuguese soldier before ending his life by hanging himself in the building diguratkan on the right front window of the building.
Right beside the Palace Mini Baileo or there is a meeting room that used to hold a meeting in Banda society or a place to welcome an important guest. During the Dutch rule, the building known as Building Societeit used by people of Dutch plantation owners as the club for a drink and play bridge.
Benteng Belgica is another historic building in Banda. Pentagon-shaped fort is located in the hills southwest of Banda Island. On each side there is a tower castle. To reach the top of the stairs to the tower is almost upright position and out of the narrow hole. From the top of the tower, you can enjoy panoramic views of parts of the Banda Islands, ranging from the blue waters of the Gulf of Banda, the towering peak of Gunung Api, until crowded as the nutmeg trees on the island of Banda Besar.
Benteng Belgica is a relic of Portuguese fort built in 1602 until the year 1611. In the middle of the fortress there is a wide open space for the prisoners. In the middle of the open space there are two of the supposedly secret wells connecting the fort to the harbor and Fort Nassau is located on the beach.
To enjoy the many sights in Banda, you can do it yourself or follow the tour packages offered by hotels and lodging businesses. Most of the packages that are provided such as diving or snorkeling package. In addition, there are activities nutmeg plantation and agro-tourism to climb the Mountain of Fire.