Hundred Ladder. Historical heritage and has now become one of the destination spots in Sibolga City, North Sumatra. In addition, the Hundred Stairs also has an inherent uniqueness.
Indeed, it’s called the Hundred Ladder. However, it does not mean that the number of stairs to climb is only 100. But it is 298, that is what makes it unique.
Stairs Hundred is precisely located in Pasar Baru Village, Sibolga City. With the number of steps that are not small, it is certain that climbing it requires more energy. But all that tiredness will disappear when it is at the top of the Hundred Stairs Hill.
From the top of the Hundred Stairs Hill, visitors can enjoy the exotic natural panorama of Sibolga City with its ocean and expanse of fishing. The peak of Bukit Tangga Hundred is also used by the community for sports and a location to drain clean water.
Behind the Hundred Stairs destination, there is another side that is the historical record of Sibolga City. There are still caves made by the Japanese army when climbing the Hundred Stairs.
The cave was used by the Japanese army as a reconnaissance hole. If the Japanese soldiers on duty as scouts saw any dangerous or suspicious movement, they would immediately report it to the top of the hill.
Inside the cave made by the Japanese army there is one entrance and two lanes inside which are in the shape of the letter Y.
When it was first built in the Dutch colonial era, Tangga Hundred was only shaped like a railroad track that stretched towards the top of the hill. The raw materials for Stairs of Hundred when it was originally built were only wood and bamboo tied with ropes, without supports to hold on to the right and left sides.
The historical destination of the Hundred Stairs is estimated to be more than 100 years old or during the Dutch occupation. During the Dutch military aggression II, Stairs Hundred was again used by the colonial army to monitor Sibolga’s maritime activities, for example seeing the entry and exit of sailing ships.
The construction of the Hundred Stairs also has a dark record, as well as stories from other regions during the colonial period. Hundreds of Sibolga people were forced to work by the Dutch colonials to build the Hundred Stairs.
It is said that according to stories from the local community, the forced labor to build the Hundred Stairs also resulted in death. However, there is no definite information about the death toll.
At the top of Bukit Tangga Hundred, there is still a drinking water company building standing firmly. The drinking water company building was built by the Dutch colonial government in 1929.
Near the drinking water company building made by the Dutch colonial government, there is a siren whose energy is taken from an old dynamo. At that time it was used to call the water company workers.
Now the siren is being used as a sign of notification that it is time to break the fast to the people of Sibolga City. Even the sound of sirens, he said, was heard throughout Central Tapanuli Regency.
Now the Hundred Ladder is no longer in the same condition as when it was built by the Dutch colonial government. The government has renovated it without losing aspects of its historical value.
The Hundred Ladder has now changed to a solid cement when stepped on. On the right and left sides have also been installed supports to hold on.
Ladder Hundred is now also the location for regional athletes from Sibolga City to train physically. Tourists who want to enjoy the nature of Sibolga City also pass through the Hundred Stairs to reach the top of the hill.
The Sibolga City Government has established the historical destination of Tangga Hundred as part of its regional cultural heritage site.