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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia has a long history before becoming an independent country. The influence brought by Indian merchants in the early 4th century left a Hindu religious influence in this archipelago country in a form of historical places. Similarly, the arrival of the Dutch colonial era added a new chapter to Indonesia's history in the struggle for independence.
This long history can not only be found in textbooks, but many of them can still be seen in physical buildings. Referring to Britannica, the official UNESCO site, and other sources, let's explore various historical sites in Indonesia and their explanations, from the Borobudur Temple in Central Java to the Gunung Padang Site in Cianjur.
1. Borobudur Temple
Borobudur Temple is one of the most significant historical sites in Indonesia. Estimated to originate from the 8th and 9th centuries, this temple complex is the largest Buddhist building in the world, according to Lonely Planet.
This historical site, located in Central Java, was built in three levels adorned with various stupas and reliefs on its walls. Borobudur was restored in the 1970s with the assistance of UNESCO.
2. Prambanan Temple
Another Indonesian temple that is a UNESCO cultural heritage is the Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta. Located not far from Borobudur, Prambanan features a Hindu style and is estimated to have been built in the 9th or 10th century.
There are several temples that visitors can find in this complex. The largest one, standing 47 meters tall, is dedicated to Lord Shiva, while the two smaller ones located to the right and left are dedicated to Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu, as cited on Wonderful Indonesia.
3. Lawang Sewu
For those in Semarang and interested in historical tourism, don't miss a quick stop at Lawang Sewu. Meaning 1,000 doors, although in reality there are only 928 doors, Tempo reported that this historical building used to be the headquarters of the first private railway company that built a railway line in Indonesia.
4. Jakarta Old Town
A leisurely stroll in the Jakarta Old Town will momentarily transport you back to Jakarta in the colonial era. In addition to admiring the exquisite architecture from the colonial period, tourists can enter several museums in the area, such as the Fatahillah Museum to learn about its history.
5. Proclamation Monument
The Proclamation Monument can be a historical tourism destination to commemorate the contributions of the heroes who fought for Indonesia's independence. According to the official website of Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, there are three historical monuments at this location: the Soekarno-Hatta Statue, the Thunder Monument, and the Women's Monument.
6. Museum of the Declaration of Independence Manuscript
Located at Jalan Imam Bonjol No. 1, Menteng, Central Jakarta, the Museum of the Declaration of Independence Manuscript was originally the residence of Admiral Tadashi Maeda, a Japanese figure who played a significant role in Indonesia's independence. The building has been used as a museum since 1992.
7. Fort Rotterdam
Fort Rotterdam in Makassar bears witness to the presence of the Dutch East Indies Company or VOC in this Southeast Asian country. According to Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, this historical building used to play a crucial role as the Dutch government center in the eastern Indonesian region and even as a defense command headquarters.
8. Vredeburg Fort
In addition to Jakarta, Yogyakarta is also an area in Indonesia with a plethora of history from the Dutch colonial period. Vredeburg Fort, which means peace, began building in the 1760s and can now be seen when passing through the KM Zero Point area in Yogyakarta, as cited on the Yogyakarta Department of Culture website.
9. Jam Gadang
At first glance, similar to the Elizabeth Tower in London, England, the Jam Gadang is a must-visit historical site in Indonesia when visiting Bukittinggi, West Sumatra.Behind the iconic 27-meter monument, there are important historical events that you should know. Tempo reported that when Indonesia declared its independence from the colonialists, Jam Gadang became the place for raising the Indonesian flag shortly after the proclamation was announced.
10. Maimun Palace
Maimun Palace or Maimoon Palace is not just a historical building in Medan. Take a moment to notice its architecture. The palace, designed by a Dutch architect, Ir. Captain Th. Van Erp, combines traditional Malay Islamic style and European influences.
11. Sate Building
The erection of the Sate Building, which began in July 1920, was initially named Gouvernemens Bedrijven (GB). The public now refers to it by its current nickname due to the ornaments that resemble satay skewers with six spheres impaled on the central tower. The building now serves as the administrative center of the city of Bandung, as reported on the website of the Directorate General of Taxes - Ministry of Finance.
12. National Monument (Monas)
The National Monument, abbreviated as Monas, is one of the iconic landmarks in Jakarta built to commemorate the Indonesian people's struggle for independence in 1945. At the top of the 132-meter high monument, there is an ornament called the Flame of Independence covered in gold.
13. Sam Poo Kong Temple
Visit Central Java states that the Sam Poo Kong Temple is the oldest Chinese temple in Semarang, showcasing a fusion of Chinese and Javanese architectural designs from the 14th century. This historical site still functions as a place of worship.
14. Gunung Padang Site
Tempo reported that the Gunung Padang Site, located in Cianjur, West Java, allows you to witness the traces of prehistoric humans in Indonesia. This site, which has become a National Cultural Heritage site, is the largest and oldest terraced site in Indonesia.
15. Sangiran Prehistoric Man Site
Another historical site in Indonesia that you can visit is the Sangiran Prehistoric Man Site located in Central Java. It is one of the UNESCO world heritage sites, preserving various prehistoric fossils and considered important because, according to researchers, Sangiran can provide clues about human life from 150,000 years ago, as cited from kemenparekraf.go.id.
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