Visit Indonesia’s most famous old towns

17/05/2019   1.446  4.08/5 trong 6 rates 
Visit Indonesia’s most famous old towns
Indonesia’s long and winding history has left behind a number of invaluable heritage sites. These charming, historical ‘old towns’ bear witness to the stories and events that helped shape the nation.

 
  • Kota Tua Jakarta

    Kota Tua JakartaKota Tua Jakarta

    Located on Jakarta’s northern coastline, the Jakarta Old Town (or Kota Tua Jakarta), was once a bustling business district. The Sunda Kelapa harbour was a crucial hub for the intercontinental spice trade orchestrated by the Dutch East India Company, which also built its headquarters in the vicinity. In the early 1600s, the Dutch devised an ambitious urban plan for the neighbourhood – building fortresses, public squares, churches and other landmarks. Some of these buildings still stand today, repurposed as museums and heritage sites. The old city hall is now Jakarta History Museum, while the former Court of Justice is now the Fine Art and Ceramic Museum.

  • Semarang Old Town

    Semarang Old TownSemarang Old Town

    This small neighbourhood in Central Java was a colonial trade centre and military hub during the 1700s. Nicknamed ‘Little Amsterdam’, the buildings here channel the European architecture of the time – characterised by elegant whitewashed and brick facades, big entryways and colourful stained glass. Some unmissable highlights include the old ‘thousand door’ office building, Lawang Sewu, and the Blenduk Church with its iconic dome.

  • Bandung Old Town

    Bandung Old TownBandung Old Town

    Being a fashion mecca and home to beautiful architecture, Bandung was nicknamed ‘Parijs van Java’, or the Paris of Java, during the colonial era. Dutch officials built a slice of Europe in the town, with this heritage preserved in its streets and landmarks. Braga Street is considered one of the old city’s centres of culture, lined with sophisticated buildings that have now mostly become hip bars or cafés. Not far from Braga, Asia Afrika Street is almost entirely occupied by colonial heritage buildings, some repurposed as government offices and museums.

  • Surabaya Old Town

    Surabaya Old TownSurabaya Old Town

    Located in East Java, Surabaya was once a busy port town serving as a trade centre and transit hub for enterprising traders making their way across the archipelago. European voyagers, and later the Japanese, had at one time or another set up camp in this city, leaving architectural trails behind. Some of them are still functioning buildings, including what is now Hotel Majapahit and Kepanjen Cathedral. High tea at Hotel Majapahit is still one of the most popular activities for those who want to experience Surabaya’s past life.

  • Malioboro Street

    Malioboro StreetMalioboro Street

    While Yogyakarta may be more renowned for its ancient Javanese temples, the city has its own beautiful old town. Buildings and landmarks from the colonial era are scattered across the city, but Kotabaru and Malioboro are especially dense with charming architecture. Fort Vredeburg, built in 1776, was strategically placed to ‘monitor’ activities in the nearby sultanate palace complex, and now serves as a museum of the nation’s pre-independence struggles. Many other landmarks in the area – the market, shops, banks, post office, and others – are also housed in former colonial premises.

  • Palembang Old Town

    Palembang Old TownPalembang Old Town

    Palembang is the capital city of South Sumatra and the oldest city in the entire Indonesian archipelago. As an important fixture of the ancient trade route between China, India and later, European countries, this city is imprinted with a wide range of different cultural influences. Many important landmarks were established along the great Musi river and around the Ampera Bridge, many of which are still used today. The current mayor’s office for example, was originally built as a water tower during Dutch rule, while a former resident office has been repurposed as a municipal museum. Kambang Iwak lake is still surrounded by old European-style residences and churches.

Source: theculturetrip

The poster

NgocVan

NgocVan


is member from: 15/10/2018, has 595 posts

COMMENTS

You need login before posting a comment.
No Avatar

There are no comments for this post, why are you not the first?

Others posts