Little Netherlands
Eighteenth-century buildings.
@centraljawa — CC BY-SA 4.0 · siska maria eviline — CC BY 2.0 · Fandy Aprianto Rohman — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sekar Kinanthi Kidung Wening — CC BY-SA 4.0
A preserved Dutch colonial quarter nicknamed Little Netherlands, with dozens of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century buildings with classical facades, tall windows and cobbled streets, carefully restored in recent years into one of Indonesia's loveliest historic quarters for walking and photography. At its heart stands the old Blenduk church with its copper dome, the quarter's emblem, surrounded by Srigunting square, cafes in old buildings, the Kota Lama museum, art galleries and a weekend antiques market. The quarter is lit in the evening by classic lamps that make walking there a pleasure. Wandering is free, and some museums and galleries charge token fees. The sun is strong at midday and shade is scarce. Come in the late afternoon and stay into the evening, sitting in a cafe facing the church. Chinatown and the Semawis night food market are close by.
Eighteenth-century buildings.
The quarter's emblem.
Walks and photos.
Kota Lama, north-central Semarang
Two hours is enough to walk, take photos and sit in a cafe; finish the evening at the Semawis night food market in neighbouring Chinatown.