Old Town Tourism in Central Java offers an enchanting nostalgic journey, where visitors can trace history through historic buildings that still stand strong today.
The old town is a historical heritage area consisting of ancient buildings with an old-fashioned feel. The existence of old towns scattered in various regions in Indonesia is a reminder of the colonial occupation in the past. These buildings usually have a distinctive architectural style, such as European or Chinese style.
Here are old town attractions in Central Java
Because of its uniqueness, the old town has now developed into a crowded tourist destination. When talking about old towns in Central Java, most people might immediately think of the old town in Semarang. However, apart from Semarang, there are still several other old towns in Central Java that become the silent witnesses of Indonesian history.
1. Semarang Old Town
Credit: wikipedia.org
As a trade and military center during the Dutch occupation around the 18th century, Semarang retains this historical legacy as an old town attractions in Central Java. This area is known as Kota Lama or Little Amsterdam, due to the many historical buildings that are similar in layout to those in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. These buildings can be found in the Old Town area, which is located on Jalan Letjen Suprapto, North Semarang District.
When visiting the Old Town area, you will be greeted by the sight of buildings with classic European architectural styles that bring a nostalgic atmosphere from the Dutch colonial period. Some of the famous buildings and often used as photo spots by visitors in this area include Gedung Marba, Taman Srigunting and Blenduk Church. Moreover, there are still many other classic buildings that are interestingly still functioning today.
2. Solo Old Town
Credit: detik.com
Solo has a rich history, from the ancient Javanese kingdom to the Dutch colonial era. Tangible evidence of the Dutch occupation of Solo are the Loji Gandrung and Omah Lowo buildings, which still stand majestically today. Both buildings display the splendor of old Dutch architecture and attract tourists to explore the traces of history in Central Java.
Along Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, there are ancient Classical-style buildings, such as the Bank Indonesia office, Vastenburg Fort and Pasar Gede. While on Slamet Riyadi Street, you can find railroad tracks that have been operating since the 1900s, as well as European-style buildings such as the Danar Hadi Batik Museum.
3. Salatiga Old Town
Credit: wikimedia.org
Salatiga is strategically located near Mount Merbabu, giving the city a cool temperature. This factor made Salatiga a favorite place for the Dutch during the colonial era. Traces of their legacy can still be found in the form of old classical European-style buildings along Jalan Diponegoro, Jalan Sudirman and Jalan Hasanuddin.
Some interesting old buildings that can be used as destinations include the GPIB Tamansari Church and the Pansion Van Blommestein Hotel. These two buildings from the Dutch colonial era still stand firmly today. Other classic-style buildings that can be found in Salatiga include Pendapa Pakuwon, Salatiga Mayor’s Office House and Papak Building.
4. Banyumas Old Town
Credit: rri.co.id
By the end of 2023, the revitalization of Kota Lama Banyumas has been completed and the area is back in operation as a historical, cultural and art tourism destination. Before becoming a tourist attraction, Kota Lama Banyumas used to be the center of Banyumas Regency government before it was moved to Purwokerto City. The buildings in this old town area show a blend of various cultures, such as Chinese, European and Javanese. The area also houses a number of cultural heritage attractions, including the city hall building, wayang museum, old well, Nur Sulaiman Great Mosque and Boen Tek Bio temple.
Here, visitors can experience the atmosphere of a 1930s-era Chinatown. The neat layout of the city and the use of paving blocks add to the classic and retro impression in this area. Those are some of the old town tourist destinations in Central Java that you can visit on vacation while remembering the history of Indonesia. The existence of this old town in Central Java is clear evidence of the traces of colonial occupation in the past. Buildings with ancient classic architectural styles in these old cities are suitable for those of you who are looking for vintage Instagramable photo spots. Get ready, your smartphone gallery will be filled with aesthetic photos!
5. Rembang Old Town
Credit: idntimes.com
Lasem is an old town located in one of the districts in Rembang Regency. The city has become a popular tourist destination, especially as a photo spot. The old town of Lasem is bisected by Jalan Raya Pos, which was built during the reign of Daendels. Interestingly, since the early 20th century, Lasem has been known as “Little China” due to the many Chinese buildings scattered in the area.
In this old town area, you can find various historical buildings that reflect Hindu-Buddhist, Majapahit and Chinese cultures. One of the most famous buildings is the Cu An Kiong Temple, which has stood for hundreds of years. Uniquely, this temple was once the filming location for the movie “Ca-bau-kan”. Beside the temple, there is also the Lawang Ombo House which is one of the famous destinations in the area.
Changer de langue