Jetayu Cultural Area

Colonial Harmony and Coastal Identity: The Architecture of Pekalongan's Jetayu Cultural Area

Kawasan Budaya Jetayu is the aesthetic and historical heart of Pekalongan City, Central Java. As a public space complex surrounded by monumental buildings, Jetayu is not merely a geographical coordinate but an architectural narrative that freezes the memory of the colonial era while celebrating Pekalongan's identity as the World Batik City. This area represents a fusion of European Town Planning with ingenious adaptations to the tropical climate.

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Philosophy of Colonial Space and Urban Planning

In terms of urban morphology, Kawasan Budaya Jetayu adopts the concept of a Civic Centre, a hub for governance and social activities. Its basic layout centers around an open square (formerly known as Wilhelmina Square), which served as the city's lungs and a transitional space between important buildings. This design follows the principles of the Indische Empire Style that developed in the 18th and 19th centuries, where grand buildings were placed around a central square to assert administrative authority.

The buildings in this area exhibit Indo-European characteristics, a hybrid style that combines European Neoclassical grandeur with Nusantara's local wisdom. The use of large columns (Doric or Ionic), high ceilings, and wide windows were technical responses to the high humidity on Java's north coast, ensuring optimal natural air circulation without sacrificing formal aesthetics.

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Batik Museum: The Architectural Epicenter of Jetayu

The most prominent icon in this area is the Pekalongan Batik Museum Building. Historically, this building was constructed in 1906 and previously served as the financial administration office of the Dutch colonial government (City Hall or Kantoor van de Javaansche Bank).

Architecturally, the Batik Museum features a highly symmetrical facade. One of its unique features is the presence of a spacious voorportaal (front porch) with sturdy pillars supporting a gabled roof. Its walls are 30 to 40 centimeters thick, acting as a natural heat insulator. The ornamental details on the bouwen (upper ventilation) often include intricate geometric motifs, which visually resonate with the precision of the batik patterns housed within. The transformation of this building's function from a financial center to a cultural hub is a highly successful example of adaptive conservation in Central Java.

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JETAYU Building and the Influence of Nieuwe Zakelijkheid

On another side of the area, there are buildings influenced by Nieuwe Zakelijkheid, or early Modernism. Unlike the ornate Empire style, buildings such as the former resident's office or the post office around it display cleaner lines, hidden flat roofs, and high functionality.

The building structures utilize a combination of high-quality red bricks with strong traditional mortar, along with patterned key tiles that were characteristic of upper-class residences of the time. The windows in the Jetayu area often feature the krepyak (wooden louvers) model, which allows light to enter while deflecting rain spray—a crucial structural innovation for buildings in coastal areas prone to sea storms.

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Structural Innovations and Local Materials

Despite being designed with Western aesthetics, the construction of Kawasan Budaya Jetayu involved exceptional local materials and craftsmen. The use of selected teak wood for roof frames and window frames is a testament to the durability of Nusantara materials against seawater corrosion. The drainage system beneath the area is also integrally designed with the open square, allowing rainwater to be immediately absorbed or channeled to the nearest river, preventing puddles in the monument area.

Details on the facade often include characteristic gevel (gable) elements. Some buildings around Jetayu Square have small towers or domes that serve as visual orientation points (landmarks). The placement of opposing windows (cross ventilation) in every corner of the building ensures that even without modern air conditioning, the indoor temperature remains cool.

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Cultural and Social Significance

Kawasan Budaya Jetayu is more than just an "open-air museum" of colonial architecture. For the people of Pekalongan, this area is a space of democracy. Its open spatial structure allows various segments of society to interact, from international batik festivals to daily creative community activities.

The presence of the West Indonesian Protestant Church (GPIB) "Siloam" and a Mosque around the area also signifies religious harmony reflected in the spatial planning. The placement of places of worship close to the center of government and public squares is a characteristic of Javanese urban planning that emphasizes balance between worldly and spiritual affairs.

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Visitor Experience and Current Conservation

Today, visitors entering Kawasan Budaya Jetayu will experience a well-maintained "Old Town" atmosphere. The Pekalongan City Government has undertaken various revitalization efforts, adding decorative lighting elements that highlight the texture of old walls at night. Widened pedestrian paths provide accessibility for pedestrians to enjoy the architectural details from one building to another without being disturbed by vehicle traffic.

Walking in Jetayu offers a unique sensory experience: a blend of the sea air aroma, the sight of clean white facades, and the low hum of citizen activities. Every corner of the buildings in this area seems to tell a story of Pekalongan's port glory days and how architecture became a silent witness to the cultural acculturation between the Dutch, Chinese, Arab, and Javanese communities who settled on the coast.

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Conclusion

Kawasan Budaya Jetayu is a masterpiece of spatial planning that has maintained its relevance for over a century. Through its blend of Indische Empire style and tropical functionality, this area stands as a symbol of architectural resilience. It is not merely a collection of old buildings but the visual identity of Pekalongan City, reminding us that good architecture is architecture that can dialogue with history, climate, and its users. For architects and history enthusiasts, Jetayu is a living laboratory to study how colonial design can be integrated into dynamic modern life.