Semarang Things to Do

Nilmij Building is the first modern building after Indonesia get its independence, the unique architecture of building which stand at Jalan Suprapto and designed by an architect "Thomas Karsten" and now used as an insurance company office"Jiwasraya"

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The Provincila Government of Central Java aware that a few of old buildings which stranded along Jalan Suprapto were spend its historical value for tourism, that is why in the end of 1990 the government start to improve the infrastructure of this area.
Long ago it was one of a very poor location in rainy season, the floods created a very bad traffict condition for the peoples and also a threat for old building conservation.
Now all peoples and tourist could enjoy walking throughout this site to see many ancient building which still exist, among others: Immanuel Chucrh or Gereja Blenduk, The old building use as an office of insurance company"Jiwasraya", the old house of a rerstaurant "Ikan Bakar Cianjur", an old building "MARBA" etc.

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This is one of popular old building in Semarang downtown, established in 1750 and renovation in 1894 by the Dutch architects HPA De Widle and Westmass.
This is Immanuel church with unique architecture, the red dome is a semicircle and by Java Language it is called Blenduk (semi circle).
The building is decided by local Government as one of Semarang Heritage building

Bunderan Tugu Semarang is a round circle streets worth a visit and is a beautiful landscape located at the city center, it is one of Semarang round about, specific as a circle which always crowded by car.

At the center of the circle, a monument with a beautiful landscape was stand elegantly while not far from the monument we could see the fascinating old building called LAWANG SEWU, an old building with thousands door, in Java lingo, Lawang means Door and Sewu means Thousand.
The park is always crowd by the peoples, primarily in the night and at the weekend where many peoples pack to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Semarang downtown

LAWANG SEWU: Lawang is Java language means Door and Sewu mean: thousands, in Java peoples opinion, the building with very many doors is the reason why they recognize the building with simply name its as the building with thousand doors.
Lawang Sewu was built in 1903 and then inauguratedd by the Dutch authority Prof. Jacob Klinkhamer and BJ. Queendag in 1907 and used as the central office of Dutch ownede Train Company "Nederlandsch Indische Spoorweg Maschaappij".
The unique architecture of the building is one of fascinating Panorama of Semarang downtown

Tugu Muda Semarang is a Round circle, one of Semarang downtown Landmark, is the crossing of Supomo street, Pandanaran street, Imam Bonjol street and Sugiyopranoto street.
Tugu Muda is a candle like monument, a historical monument to memorize the five days battles between the peoples who defend its independency versus Japan occupation in October 14, 1945.
The monument was built by the first Governor of Central Java: Boedijono and inaugurated by The first Indonesian President. Ir Soekarno in May 20, 1953

Simapang Lima is mean Five Crossing, located at the city center, all five main streets were towards one round circle: Pandanaran street, Gajah Mada street, Achmad Dahlan Street, Ahmad Yani street and Pahlawan street.
There were many Department store, Shopping Mall, Restaurants, close to Simpang Lima.
It is very crowded in then weekend, so many peoples come to the field/square not far from here, sometime a few street lane close in the weekend for street walkers

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The Ronggowarsito Museum was established in 1983 at the intiative of the then governor of Central Java, Soepardjo Roestam, with the aim of making it the foremost museum in Central Java. As such it offers - in its present compound since 1989 - displays on a wide range of topics, from paleontology to Javanese art and the struggle for independence.

Some rooms have interesting diorama's, others rather dull glass show-cases. The lack of explanatory text with the latter, however, was well made up for by our very knowledgeable guide, who had a degree in history of Gajah Mada university. He did not seem to expect a tip, but graciously accepted it.

If you want an in-depth introduction in Javanese culture, the museum is a good start. We did not know e.g. that besides wayang kulit and wayang golek there once existed wayang karucil using puppets carved out of one board of wood. And there is what looks like some kind of cupboard-bed, but actually a throne on which rice was displayed, because rice was considered an incarnation of the goddess Sri.
Another of our pictures shows how the portrait of a wayang hero became stylized by stressing typical traits much like a modern artist draws a caricature.
Also interesting is the (copy of an) ornament from the Demak mosque. After the conversion of the king to Islam, suddenly artists who used to portray all kinds of living creatures were forbidden to do so. Only geometrical ornaments were allowed, because man should not try to imitate God. See how the artist covertly pictured an elephant.
And imagine being caught with the "thief catching spear" from the Surakarta sultanate.

The museum is named after a popular poet of the same sultanate, whose predictions of 'mad times' are believed by many to have been fulfilled. It offers a range of educational and other activities, see the website.

Admittance: Rp 4000 for adults, Rp 2000 for children (August 2009).
Opening hours: Daily from 8 am to 2 pm.