Built by Charles Brooke in 1879 and named after his wife, Ranee Margaret, this hilltop fortress long protected Kuching against surprise attack by pirates. It did so exclusively as a remarkably successful deterrent: troops stationed here never fired a shot in anger. To get there from Kampung Boyan, follow the signs up the hill for 500m.
Inspired by an English Renaissance castle, whitewashed Fort Margherita manages to feel both medieval-European and tropical. At research time there were plans to add new exhibits on the Brookes to the almost empty fort.
