World from the eyes

If you visit Semarang, the capitol of Central Java Province in Indonesia, do not ever neglect visiting Lawang Sewu Building on your tour schedule. That is what I did when I have an opportunity visited Semarang for my work . In my thight schedule I spare my time to go there. People said that if you visit Semarang without go to Lawang Sewu it means you didn’t go there.







Lawang Sewu is The old building wich was constructed in the age of Dutch Colonial. It was named from Javanesse language, Lawang means door and Sewu means thousand then Lawang Sewu means Thousands Doors. According to the name, this building has thousands door but none never know how many exactly the door is. None can count the exactly number of doors.





Lawang Sewu was build in 1903 and designed by Dutch Architech, P de Rieau. The construction was lead by an architeck Profesor Klinkkaner and Quendaag. The opening ceremony of Lawang Sewu was held in July 1st 1907. At the first place Lawang Sewu was built for Central Office of Nederlandsch Indische Spoor-weg Maatschapij (NIS) purpose, a Private Train Company that was existed since 1864 in Indonesia.






The Design of this building compeletely follow Nederland Architecture. It located in a land of 18.232 meter2 on Jalan Bojong (Bojong Street), Semarang in the corner or Jalang Pandan Aran and Jalan Dr. Soetomo. The location inspired the architect to design it with wings shape building that consist of the main building, left wing building and the right one.

First foundation was put in February 27th, 1904 constructed with some heavy concrete construction and wall of split. Almost all material was prepared from Europe, especially Amsterdam.







Many years passed, the function refers to other function depend on the age that It passed. Others function are : Office of Transportation Department, The Head Office of Local Militery Comando of Central Java (Kodam IV/Diponegoro) and also become a Five Stars Hotel in the New Orde. The most unforgettable history from this place is Five Days War in Semarang that this building becomed a centre of war between Indonesia and Japan’s Soldier. Many people died on the war, including some of Youth of Train Organization . Their lied on the front yard of Lawang Sewu. The named have written near the Front Gade of Lawang Sewu.

But still you can see that none pay attention to it's condition. The building looks not in good carrying and maintaining. Many placa we can find show the crack and path. Dust,mould and mud are every where. Some of the wings building loose the roof. It looks very untidy and disarrange . Eventhough each day many tourist from local and foreigner come to see Lawang Sewu, still no change and uncarring.

Hope The Government will consider to this meaningful history building. Make it smile and welcome us as one of cultural pledge area. And it always can attrack foreign tourist to visit Indonesia, especially Semarang.









I really enjoy my experience visited Semarang in 2009, the fact I like doing history tour. It really knowledge me more history and the beauty of Lawang Sewu even some people say that it is spooky building because of many history behind.

Ask your friend and family to come. For you, who like history place tour, I gurantee you will not be upset with the art and architecture of the building.

For me visiting Lawang Sewu is one of my great experience in life.. Come on, Come to see it!!!!