I wondered if it really was a building with a thousand doors. I went on a historical tour this time, in Semarang. Specifically, I went to a building known in Indonesian as "seribu pintu" (Thousand Doors Building). The nickname "Seribu Pintu" (Thousand Doors Building) in Javanese means "LAWANG SEWU".
For me, this was a vast area to explore. So, I had to stretch my legs to explore this historic building. Luckily, I've been walking several kilometers every day.
The "LAWANG SEWU" building is located in the center of Semarang. Before its revitalization, it looked like an abandoned haunted house, and there were indeed many spooky stories about it, especially the area below.
Since its revitalization as a historical tourist attraction, the building, which initially seemed spooky, has become a tourist icon of Semarang, especially one that piqued my curiosity.
Indeed, when I planned to visit Semarang, I immediately had a list of places to visit to visit this "LAWANG SEWU" place.
The architectural characteristics of this building are classical, with simple curves, typical of Amsterdam architects. There are so many curves that it's hard to count them. Yes, I think there are too many.
So, is it true that this building really has a thousand doors? I listened to the tour guide's explanation.
The "LAWANG SEWU" building doesn't actually have a thousand doors. The total is actually 928. However, the local community rounded it up to 1,000.
In the past, this building was used as the headquarters of the Nederlandsch Indische Spoorweg (NIS) railway company during the Dutch East Indies era. Rail transportation was indeed crucial for the economic progress of the Dutch in Indonesia, especially during the Dutch colonial era. The railway system made it easier for the Dutch to transport Indonesian produce to ports. This is why there are so many Dutch railway stations in Indonesia.
Visitors to this building can see the history of the railway through a glass screen on the side of the building. I found it quite informative and concise, with clear illustrations and an engaging video version. It's also suitable for children.
I continued exploring the building. The arched doors and windows of the "LAWANG SEWU" building are truly artistic, from an artistic perspective. It's a stunning architectural masterpiece from a bygone era.
Although many of the materials have been restored after renovations, the building's spirit is still intact.
The exterior of the building also features an outdoor area. Several tenants are available, especially for the food court in the afternoon, so visitors can still enjoy the atmosphere while enjoying their food.
I visited during the day, and fortunately, it was cloudy. Although the sky wasn't clear, my picture of the building isn't very good. I was thankful for the cloudy weather, which kept the air in Semarang cool. Oh, thank goodness. A building that bears witness to the past but is still worthy of enjoying its architectural style to this day.
Best Regards,
Anggrek Lestari
Anggrek Lestari is an Indonesian fiction writer who has published two major books. Now She is a full-time content creator. She has a goal to share life, poem, and food content that makes others happy and can get inspiration.
Contact Person: authoranggreklestari@gmail.com
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