The city of Semarang is not only the capital of Central Java but also a prominent port city. The terms “asem” and “arang,” both of which indicate “rare,” contributed to the naming of the city. Together, these two words signify “tamarind.” There is a school of thought that maintains the name originated from the Chinese term “Sam Po Lang,” which translates to “the city of Sam Po.”
The origins of Semarang’s history may be traced back to the 9th century. During that period, people referred to the area as Bergota. In the latter half of the 15th century, Kyai Pandan Arang founded a community and an Islamic educational institution in what is now Semarang. On May 2, 1547, he was chosen to serve as the first king of the province. The Dutch East India Company gained control of the city at the end of the 17th century. The Dutch created Semarang in an official capacity around the year 1682, and following independence in 1945, the city was designated as the seat of the Central Java province.
There are a number of Chinese temples in Semarang. An amazing Chinese temple, Sam Po Kong Temple was built in the early 15th century in commemoration of a Chinese admiral named Zheng Ho who had visited the local region in the early 14th century. The Gereja Blenduk Church may be found in the historic district of the city. This church is the oldest continuously operating Christian congregation in the central part of Java. The Tay Kak Sie Temple may be found in the older part of the city known as Chinatown. The temple is considered to be one of the most beautiful examples of Chinese architecture in the nation and was built in the year 1772. Puri Maerakoco is often compared to Taman Mini in Jakarta because of its proximity to the airport and because it is thought to be Semarang’s counterpart of the national capital’s park.
The city of Semarang is composed of sixteen primary districts, each of which is further subdivided into a large number of subdistricts. The city covers an area of approximately 374 square kilometres. The bulk of the population is descended from Javanese and Chinese ancestors. Despite the fact that some of the colonial buildings in Semarang are not in excellent shape, the ambiance of Semarang as an ancient city still remains. Those who are interested in learning more about the region’s history can pay a visit there.
Main Tourist Attractions in Semarang, Indonesia
Sam Po Kong Temple
This magnificent Chinese temple was constructed in the early 15th century in commemoration of the Chinese Admiral Zheng Ho, who travelled to this region in the early 14th century. It is often said that once Zheng Ho settled in Semarang, he entered a cave and spent a significant portion of his life there meditating. The populace of the area revered him to the point of elevating him to the position of God Sam Po Kong. People eventually constructed a temple at the location after some years had passed. The primary structure has an altar dedicated to the deity. In addition, there is an altar dedicated to a particular god in each of the other shrines.
Gereja Blenduk Church
This church, which can be found in the middle of the old town, is the oldest Christian church in the central part of Java. The Dutch constructed the church in the area about the year 1732 AD. It is topped by a large dome. There are four pillars, and it has a porch that is both classic and spectacular. It’s possible that the inside of the structure will bring up memories of the interior of one of Holland’s numerous protestant churches. In the early 1900s, the church had several renovations.
Tay Kak Sie Temple
This temple may be found in the historic district of Chinatown in the city. The temple is considered to be one of the most beautiful examples of Chinese architecture in the nation and was built in the year 1772. The annual Zheng He ceremony, which is considered to be one of the most important gatherings of the public in the city, begins at the temple. The procession begins with the performance of ceremonies inside of the temple. After that, there will be a procession in which the statue of Sam Po Kong will be transported to the Gedong Batu.
Puri Maerakoco
This location, which is close to the airport, is sometimes referred to as “Semarang’s version of Taman Mini” in reference to the park in the nation’s capital. It is a well-planned park that has traditional buildings that are emblematic of all of the regencies in central Java. The homes display specific crafts that were popular throughout each era along with information on those crafts.
