A Javanese roof
Traditional tiered layers.
Royhanah — CC0 · M_Sofyan_Sauri — CC0 · Ivuvisual — CC BY-SA 4.0
Malang's oldest and best-known great mosque, standing on the west side of the Alun-alun square at the heart of the city, as old Javanese towns traditionally placed the congregational mosque beside the main square. Building began in the late nineteenth century and it grew in stages into today's spacious mosque, full of worshippers at Friday prayers and festivals. The mosque combines the tiered, layered Javanese roof, the emblem of the island's traditional mosques, with domes and two Arab-style minarets added in later extensions, a pleasing blend of the two schools. The interior is simple and calm, with columns and a wooden ceiling. Entry is free and it is open at and around prayer times. Non-Muslims visit outside prayer times in modest dress, keeping quiet. It is the handiest mosque for Friday prayer in the city centre. After prayers, stroll the neighbouring Alun-alun, with its big trees, pigeons and families, then walk a few minutes to the Kajoetangan heritage quarter.
Traditional tiered layers.
Added in later extensions.
Beside the main square.
West side of the Alun-alun square, central Malang
Kajoetangan Heritage VillageAn old quarter at the heart of Malang behind the Kayutangan shopping street, whi5 minutes walk
Kampung Warna-Warni Jodipan (Rainbow Village)A working-class neighbourhood on the steep bank of the Brantas River in Malang t10 minutes walk
Brawijaya Military MuseumA military museum on Jalan Ijen, Malang's loveliest palm-lined boulevard, tellin19 minutes walkVery: most people are Muslim, mosques and halal restaurants are everywhere, and its altitude makes it cooler than Surabaya or Jakarta.