Selecta Recreational Park

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History and Heritage of Selecta Recreational Park: A Colonial Gem in Batu City

Taman Rekreasi Selecta is more than just an ordinary family tourist destination; it is a living monument that records the long historical journey of tourism development in East Java. Located on the highlands of Tulungrejo Village, Batu City, Selecta stands as a silent witness to the transition of eras, from the Dutch East Indies colonial era to the Indonesian independence period.

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Origins and Establishment: Ruyter de Wildt's Vision

The history of Selecta began in the 1920s, specifically built between 1920 and 1928. The figure behind this masterpiece was a Dutch citizen named Ruyter de Wildt. At that time, the Malang Raya region, especially Batu, began to gain popularity among European officials and businessmen as a resting place due to its cool air—often dubbed De Kleine Switzerland or Little Switzerland on Java Island.

The name "Selecta" itself comes from the Latin word "Selectio," meaning "choice" or "the chosen one." As the name suggests, this place was designed as an exclusive location for European elites to relax, swim, and enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains. Its location, surrounded by Mount Arjuno, Mount Welirang, and Mount Anjasmoro, offered an unparalleled natural panorama at that time.

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Colonial Architecture and Construction Details

Architecturally, Selecta embodies the Indische Empire style combined with early 20th-century modern functionality. One of the most iconic elements still preserved today is the swimming pool structure. The Selecta swimming pool is one of the oldest swimming pools in Indonesia that uses a natural gravity system for its water circulation, sourced directly from clear mountain springs.

The hotel and villa buildings around the park exhibit Dutch architectural characteristics with high ceilings, large windows for maximum air circulation, and thick walls that maintain a stable room temperature. The garden layout adopts the European formal garden style combined with the richness of local flora. This landscape arrangement is designed in such a way that every corner of the garden offers a different visual perspective of the surrounding mountains.

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Historical Significance and Important Events

Selecta holds a very important position in the history of Indonesia's national movement. After the proclamation of independence, Selecta was no longer an exclusive place for Dutch people but became a national asset. One of the most prominent historical facts is Selecta's role as a favorite resting place for the nation's founders.

The first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ir. Soekarno, and Vice President Mohammad Hatta often visited Selecta for rest and strategic discussions about the nation's future. One recorded historical event is from the 1950s, when Bung Karno and Bung Hatta stayed there to formulate state policies in a calm atmosphere. The room where they stayed, known as Bima Shakti, is still preserved and stands as a silent witness to the history of diplomacy and the great thoughts of the nation's leaders.

Furthermore, Selecta also served as a location for important meetings for government figures in the early days of independence to discuss the development of the East Java region. Its existence became a symbol that luxurious facilities once only enjoyed by colonizers had now fully become the property of the Indonesian people.

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Figures and Related Eras

Besides Ruyter de Wildt as the founder, the history of Selecta is also inseparable from the role of the local community of Tulungrejo Village. After independence, the ownership of Selecta underwent a unique transition. Unlike many colonial assets that were fully nationalized as state property, Selecta is managed by a business entity whose shares are owned by local villagers. This collective ownership model makes it unique in Indonesia, where the welfare of the local community is directly proportional to the progress of this park.

During the Japanese occupation (1942–1945), Selecta experienced a dark period as its function changed to a camp or resting place for the Japanese military. However, after the Dutch military aggression and the physical revolution period ended, Selecta rose again as a symbol of economic recovery through the tourism sector.

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Preservation and Restoration Efforts

As a historical site, Selecta has undergone various renovation stages without losing its core historical value. The management is very careful in maintaining the original structure of the swimming pool and old buildings. The restorations carried out are more focused on strengthening the structure and updating facilities without altering the facade of the existing colonial buildings.

The flower garden, which is an icon of Selecta, continues to be developed with a collection of plants from various parts of the world, while still maintaining the planting patterns that have existed since the past. Conservation of the springs around the location is also a top priority to ensure the pool's water supply remains pure as it was a century ago. Administratively, Selecta is considered a cultural heritage site that contributes greatly to the identity of Batu City as a tourist city.

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Cultural Importance and Unique Facts

Culturally, Selecta has shaped a tradition of tourism for the people of East Java. For many families, visiting Selecta is a multi-generational ritual. There is a strong sentimental value where grandparents bring their grandchildren to the same place they visited decades ago.

Some rarely known unique facts include:

1. Irrigation System: Selecta still uses an ancient irrigation system integrated with the surrounding villagers' rice fields, demonstrating harmony between the tourist attraction and the agricultural sector.

2. Plant Collection: Some types of plants in Selecta's flower garden are direct descendants of plants brought by Dutch botanists in the early 20th century.

3. Open-Air Cinema: In the past, Selecta had one of the first open-air film screening facilities in the region for the entertainment of the elite.

To this day, Selecta stands tall as a harmonious blend of natural beauty, colonial architectural grandeur, and Indonesian historical heroism. It is not just a flower garden, but a living encyclopedia that tells how a colonial rest stop transformed into a source of pride for the people and a symbol of the local community's economic sovereignty. With an age exceeding a century, Selecta continues to prove itself as a timeless destination in the heart of East Java.