Watu Pinawetengan

Watu Pinawetengan is an interesting megalithic stone because of its unique form and scripts. It is located in Tompaso sub-district, at the foot of Mount Soputan, Minahasa, or some 60 kilometers from Manado. According to Minahasa history and archaeological research, this stone is the place where the ancestors first divided up the land among nine sub-ethnics in Minahasa. This stone is four meters long and two meters tall. It looks like a bending person but some said it looks like Minahasa island. This natural stone has hand-made scripts. These scripts show human, human genitals, and lines without any clear meaning.

Getting There

This megalithic stone is located in Pinabetengan village, Minahasa district, which is accessible by private cars and public transportations. You can take a bus from Karombasan bus station. If you use a rented car, you can take Tomohon way toward the south i.e., to Kawangkoan.

From Kawangkoan, you can take a motor taxi to take you to the location, which is located about 2 kilometers away. This tourist object has a narrow access with sharp turnings. Therefore, you should be careful when driving your car.

Getting Around

When visiting this tourist site, you will see mountains and large rice fields with cows and horses in green savannas on the left and right sides of the street.

When entering this Watu Pinawetengan, which means 'The Stone of discussion about the division', you must take off your footwear, because it is believed that this place still has its magical religious side. Therefore, many local people and tourists visit this site to pray to God. Even some foreigners often come here to perform certain rituals such as asking for recovery, and protection and perform rituals to thank God for what they have.

About 100 meters from this stone, you can walk down the stairs behind the stone and find a spring. Water from this spring is potable.

To Do

In addition to a historical site, this stone is also used as a facility to pray to God by local people and tourists. You can enjoy the scenery of Minahasa from this location because it is situated at the side of Mount Soputan. Wooden bench is available to enjoy the scenery from this mountain side. In addition, you can also learn about the history of Minahasa sub-enthics related with this stone from the keeper of Watu Pinawetengan who lives near the stone.

To Stay

If you like to enjoy cool weather in the mountain side, you may stay overnight in people's home in the side of Mount Soputan. But if you like to stay in a small hotel, you may stay in an inn in Kawangkoan or Tomohon, which is 30 minutes drive.

To Eat

This tourist object has no restaurant selling food or drink. Therefore, it is best for you to bring along your own food and buy food from Kawangkoan such as crispy Kawangkoan peanuts and other culinaries such as “ragey“, which is fried pork or „paniki“, which is fried bat with chilli.

To Buy

No shop selling souvenirs in this place because it is located in a mountain side. Visitors usually come for praying at night or daytime.

Tips

Please bring along enough food if you like to stay longer to enjoy fresh mountain air while listening to explanations given by the keeper. It is best to ask people around because directions to this site are not very clear.

Quoted from : http://www.indonesia.travel/en/destination/102/watu-pinawetengan

Supported by : JavaTourism, Lintang Buana Tours