Kota Lama Semarang

Historical Origins and Area Formation

The history of Kota Lama Semarang began with an agreement between the Mataram Sultanate and the VOC in 1678. In exchange for the VOC's assistance in suppressing the Trunajaya rebellion, Sunan Amangkurat II ceded Semarang to the Dutch. Initially, this settlement was built as a defense fort known as Oude Stad.

Around 1741, after the Geger Pecinan (Chinese Uprising), the Dutch began constructing a pentagonal fort known as Kasteel Vijfhoek. However, due to the need for more dynamic urban space, the fort was dismantled in 1824 to make way for an open area development. Kota Lama then evolved into a center of government and trade. Its strategic location near the mouth of the Semarang River made it a primary logistical gateway connecting the interior of Java with international markets.

Architectural Characteristics and Construction Details

The main uniqueness of Kota Lama Semarang lies in its architecture, which adopts Western European building styles. Unlike typical tropical settlements, the buildings here have very thick walls, large stained-glass windows, and the use of marble and terracotta tiles imported directly from Europe.

The dominant architectural styles are Indische Empire Style and Renaissance Revival. One of the most prominent features is the ornamental detail on the building facades, the use of concrete roofs (dak beton), and observation towers that served to monitor ship traffic in the harbor. The building structures were designed to exude colonial authority, with high ceilings for natural air circulation to mitigate the humidity of Semarang's coastal climate.

Historical Significance and Important Events

Kota Lama Semarang held crucial economic significance during the Dutch East Indies era. This area was the hub of the first railway network in Indonesia. In 1864, the first groundbreaking for the Semarang-Solo-Yogyakarta railway line was performed by Governor-General Baron Sloet van de Beele. The grand headquarters of the private railway company Nederlandsch-Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij (NIS) also stood not far from this area.

Furthermore, Kota Lama became a center for banking and insurance. The presence of the De Javasche Bank building (now Bank Indonesia) and international trading offices made Semarang one of the three largest cities in the Dutch East Indies, alongside Batavia and Surabaya. Historical events such as the Japanese occupation and the Five Days Battle in Semarang also left traumatic traces on the walls of this area.

Historical Figures and Iconic Buildings

Several iconic buildings in Kota Lama are closely associated with important figures and specific functions:

1. Gereja Blenduk (GPIB Immanuel): Built in 1753, this church is the most iconic building with its semicircular copper dome. The name "Blenduk" comes from Javanese, referring to its bulging dome shape. Architects H.P.A. de Wilde and W. Westmaas undertook a major renovation in 1894, giving it its current appearance.

2. Gedung Marba: Built by Marta Badjunet, a wealthy merchant from Yemen. This red-walled building is a rare example of significant asset ownership by a non-European entrepreneur in the heart of a colonial city.

3. Spiegel Bar & Bistro: Formerly the Herman Spiegel department store, which offered luxury goods from Europe, reflecting the high-class lifestyle of Semarang's past society.

4. Gedung Jiwasraya: A work by renowned architect Thomas Karsten, known for his ability to blend Western aesthetics with Indonesia's tropical climate.

Preservation Status and Restoration Efforts

For decades, Kota Lama Semarang experienced a dark period due to tidal floods and land subsidence, which led to many buildings being abandoned. However, since 2016, the Semarang City Government, along with the central government, has undertaken extensive restoration.

The revitalization efforts focused on improving drainage to combat floods, organizing underground cables, and replacing asphalt roads with natural stone paving blocks to restore the 19th-century atmosphere. This transformation successfully changed the area's image from dilapidated to a world-class historical tourist destination. Currently, Kota Lama Semarang is being nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Cultural and Religious Importance

Despite being dominated by Dutch influence, Kota Lama Semarang is a portrait of diversity. Geographically, the area is surrounded by settlements of other ethnic groups such as Pecinan (Chinatown), Kampung Melayu, and Kampung Arab. The interaction between these ethnic groups created a unique "Semarangan" culture.

Religiously, the presence of Gereja Blenduk, situated alongside the commercial activities of the local community, demonstrates long-standing ingrained tolerance. The annual Kota Lama Festival serves as a cultural celebration where various art communities showcase the acculturation of Javanese, Chinese, and European cultures in a public space.

Unique Facts about Kota Lama Semarang

• Canal System: Kota Lama once had a canal system resembling Amsterdam for logistical transport, but most have now been closed or converted into roads.
• Center of Literacy: This area was once home to prominent publishers that printed various important newspapers during the colonial era, making it an intellectual center in Central Java.
• Zero Point: Semarang's kilometer zero point is located not far from this area, precisely in front of the Grand Post Office building, signifying the area's importance as an administrative coordinate center.

With all its architectural grandeur and historical depth, Kota Lama Semarang is more than just a tourist attraction. It is a historical laboratory that teaches about diplomacy, global trade, and how a city can rise from physical decline to once again become a source of national pride. The preservation of this area ensures that future generations can still touch and feel the grand narrative of the nation written on old bricks and cement.