Lawang Sewu Semarang is a historical landmark with magnificent colonial architecture, accompanied by mystical stories and various interesting tourist facilities.
Lawang Sewu, one of the iconic buildings located in the center of Semarang City, Central Java, is not only famous for its magnificent architecture but also for its long history.
Known as “a thousand doors”, although the number of doors and windows is only around 928, this building has a very important historical meaning, especially during the Dutch colonial period, and is a silent witness to the journey of Indonesian history, starting from Dutch colonization, Japanese occupation, to the struggle for Indonesian independence.
Lawang Sewu is now a major tourist destination in Semarang that attracts many visitors with its mystical stories, extraordinary architecture, and various interesting facilities.
For those of you who want to know more about the history and beauty of this building, here is an in-depth review of Lawang Sewu, complete with its tourist attractions and facilities.
History of Lawang Sewu
Lawang Sewu was built in 1904 to 1907, on the initiative of the Dutch colonial government as the headquarters of the Dutch East Indies railway company, Nederlands-Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij (NIS).
With a design that carries a European architectural style, this building became a very vital transportation administration center at that time.
Lawang Sewu was designed by a Dutch architect, Prof. Jacob F. Klinkhamer, and witnessed various important events in Indonesia.
During the Japanese occupation, this building was used as a place of torture and detention for Indonesian independence fighters.
Although it has changed function over time, Lawang Sewu remains a symbol of history rich in stories, and is now a tourist attraction that attracts many visitors from various parts of the world.
The Attraction of Lawang Sewu Tourism
As a building that not only has high historical value, Lawang Sewu also offers a very interesting tourist attraction. Apart from its magnificent colonial architecture, there are various things that make visitors not want to miss the opportunity to visit this place.
1. A Thousand Doors
Known as “Lawang Sewu” which in Javanese means a thousand doors, this building offers a unique view with a very large number of doors and windows.
Although the actual number is only around 928, the architectural beauty with large doors and windows stretching throughout the entire building gives the impression that the building is endless.
This is one of the main characteristics that attracts many tourists, who visit just to take pictures with the backdrop of the amazing large doors.
This uniqueness is also useful for improving air circulation inside the building, considering Indonesia’s tropical climate which tends to be hot.
2. Uniqueness of Architecture
The architecture of Lawang Sewu has very distinctive characteristics and reflects the greatness of the Dutch colonial era.
One of its unique features is the use of bligor—a mixture of sand, lime, and red brick—which keeps the structure of this building sturdy without any cracks, even to this day.
This material also provides a cool effect indoors, which is very suitable for tropical weather. In addition, the roof design that curves in a semicircle every half meter serves to reduce pressure on the building.
In the last building constructed in 1916, the use of iron was introduced due to material limitations due to World War I which slowed down the delivery of materials from Europe.
This is why this part of the building uses local materials such as bricks, tiles, and glass produced in Semarang.
3. Historical Diorama
Lawang Sewu has two main buildings filled with dioramas depicting the historical journey of railway transportation in Indonesia.
Visitors can enjoy a collection of historical objects such as maps, old photographs, and various equipment used at that time.
The dioramas also depict Semarang as one of the main trading centers in Indonesia during the colonial era, as well as the importance of trains in the Dutch East Indies economic system, especially for transporting commodities from plantations managed with a forced cultivation system.
The diorama room is located on the first floor, while the second floor is now used as the office of the Heritage and Architecture Division of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), which continues to manage and preserve these historical assets.
4. Mosaic Glass
One of the favorite spots that visitors often visit to take pictures is the 9-meter tall mosaic glass located inside the main building of Lawang Sewu.
This mosaic consists of four large panels depicting various symbols and meanings about Indonesia’s natural wealth during the Dutch colonial period.
These panels feature the Goddess Fortuna, Goddess Sri, and various natural symbols such as plants and animals that depict the natural wealth of the archipelago.
The plants and animals depicted on this glass also reflect nature that is rich in agricultural products that supported the economic system of that time.
In addition, there are symbols of important trading cities such as Batavia, Surabaya, and Semarang which were centers of trade during the colonial period.
5. Basement
Lawang Sewu also has a basement which is another interesting part of this building. In this damp and dark basement, visitors can feel the mystical atmosphere that sometimes envelops the place.
During the Japanese occupation, this basement was used as a place of torture for independence fighters. The existence of this basement adds a sense of mystery that makes many people curious to visit it.
Although this underground space was originally designed as a drainage channel to drain water, it is now known for its mystical stories that further enrich the experience of visitors who come.
Location, Access & Entrance Ticket Prices for Lawang Sewu
Lawang Sewu is located in the center of Semarang City, precisely at Simpang Lima, which makes it easy for visitors to reach it.
This location is very strategic because it is close to various other tourist attractions such as Semarang Old Town and Blenduk Church.
Visitors can use private vehicles or public transportation to reach Lawang Sewu, and it does not take long from the city center to arrive at this place.
Its very close proximity to various other attractions makes it a perfect starting point to explore the beauty of Semarang.
To be able to visit Lawang Sewu, visitors only need to pay an entrance ticket of Rp 20,000 per person, which provides full access to various facilities and attractions in the Lawang Sewu complex.
With affordable ticket prices, tourists can enjoy all the beauty of architecture, history, and various facilities there. Lawang Sewu is a must-visit tourist destination for anyone who wants to experience the rich historical atmosphere of Indonesia.
With its magnificent architecture, fascinating historical collections, and captivating mystical stories, Lawang Sewu offers a memorable experience for every visitor.
Equipped with various adequate facilities and affordable ticket prices, Old Town is the perfect place to enjoy historical, cultural and architectural tours in one complete package.