Indonesia's most historic mosques have a long history in the archipelago, here is the complete list of names!
Indonesia's Most Historical Mosque – As a country whose majority population is Muslim, the spread of Islamic teachings in the archipelago has a long history. You can trace this historical journey through some of the oldest mosques in Indonesia.
This oldest mosque in Indonesia is not only hundreds of years old, but has also witnessed the spread of Islam throughout the archipelago. Come on, let's check out Indonesia's most historic mosques in this review article!
Indonesia's Most Historical Mosque
1. Demak Grand Mosque
The first, the Great Mosque of Demak, is the oldest and most historic mosque in Indonesia, and is inseparable from the spread of Islamic teachings throughout the archipelago.
This mosque, which is believed to have been built by Raden Patah, the first Sultan of the Demak Sultanate in the 15th century, was once a gathering place for the Wali Songo at that time.
Apart from that, this most historic mosque in Indonesia is thought to be the forerunner of mosque architecture with stacked pyramid ceilings which is still commonly found in mosques throughout the archipelago.
Location: Kauman, Bintoro, District. Demak, Demak Regency, Central Java 59511
2. Saka Tunggal Mosque, Banyumas
The oldest mosque in Indonesia, which was built in 1288, is closely related to the history of the transmission of Islamic teachings in Cikakak by Mbah Mustolih, an Islamic preaching figure during the ancient Mataram Sultanate. Another specialty of the Saka Tunggal Banyumas Mosque is that the building is supported by just one pillar.
Location: Cikakak Village, Wangon subdistrict, Banyumas Regency, Central Java Province
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3. Wapauwe Mosque
In terms of scale, this most historic mosque in eastern Indonesia looks quite simple. The Wapauwe Mosque, which was founded in 1414, measures 10×10 meters and is made of Gaba-gaba or sago fronds with a thatched roof.
The existence of the oldest mosque in Indonesia is proof of the spread of Islamic teachings in the Maluku Islands. Apart from having historical significance, the Wapauwe Mosque is said to have the oldest Al-Quran manuscript in Indonesia.
Location: Kaitetu, Leihitu, Central Maluku Regency, Maluku
4. Banten Grand Mosque
Next, the Great Mosque of Banten which was founded in 1552 is the oldest mosque in Banten and one of the oldest and historical mosques in the archipelago.
This mosque with distinctive architecture and a five-stacked main building resembling a temple was built during the reign of Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin.
Location: Banten grand mosque complex RT/RW 001/011, Banten, Kec. Kasemen, Serang City, Banten 4219
5. Sunan Ampel Mosque
Indonesia's most historic mosque. Next is the Sunan Ampel Mosque in East Java. Raden Achmad Rachmatullah founded this historical mosque in Indonesia in 1421, and the building combines ancient Javanese accents with Arabic accents.
Location: Jl. Petukangan I, Ampel, District. Semampir, Surabaya City, East Java 60151
6. Sang Ciptarasa Grand Mosque
Built in 1478, this historical mosque in Indonesia is considered the oldest in Cirebon. Sunan Gunung Jati commissioned Sunan Kalijaga to design this mosque which is located in the Kasepuhan Palace Complex in Cirebon.
Sunan Gunung Jati then brought in Raden Sepat, an architect from Majapahit who was imprisoned during the Demak-Majapahit conflict, to help Sunan Kalijaga in designing this famous mosque in Indonesia.
Location: Jl. Kasepuhan No. Complex, Kasepuhan, Kec. Lemahwungkuk, Cirebon City, West Java 45114
7. Sultan Suriansyah Mosque
As the name suggests, Sultan Suriansyah, the first Islamic Banjar King in South Kalimantan, built the oldest mosque in Indonesia, making it the oldest mosque in Kalimantan to date.
The Sultan Suriansyah Mosque building, which was founded in 1526, is in the shape of a traditional banjar with a stacked roof, and the Mihrab section has a different roof from the main building.
Location: Jl. Kuin Utara, Kuin Utara, Kec. North Banjarmasin, Banjarmasin City, South Kalimantan 70127
8. Kudus Tower Mosque
Indonesia's next most historic mosque is the Kudus Tower Mosque, built around 1549.
The architecture of this medieval mosque is unique because it is designed in a temple style, reflecting the strong blend of Hindu and Islamic culture at that time.
Because of its uniqueness, this mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Indonesia, as well as a prominent and easily recognizable landmark.
The oldest mosque in Indonesia, which is often known as the Menara Mosque, is officially known as the "Al Aqsa Manarat Qudus Mosque".
Location: Jl. Menara, Pejaten, Kauman, District. Kudus City, Kudus Regency, Central Java 59315
9. Palopo Old Mosque
Furthermore, the Old Palopo Mosque in Palopo, South Sulawesi, is the oldest mosque in Indonesia and a legacy of the Luwu Kingdom.
The historic Old Palopo Mosque was founded as a palace mosque or royal mosque by Datu Payung Luwu XVI Pati Pasaung Toampanangi Sultan Abdulla Matinroe, King of the Luwu Kingdom at that time.
Location: Jl. Andi Djemma No.88, Batupasi, North Wara, Palopo City, South Sulawesi 91913
10. Baiturrahman Grand Mosque
Even though the magnificent, iconic building of the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque that now stands was only built in 1878 and completed in 1881, many records show that the original Grand Mosque was built in 1612 during the reign of Sultan Iskandar Muda in a typical Acehnese style.
Because the original mosque was used as a fortress in the struggle against the Dutch East Indies, the mosque burned to the ground. The Dutch government then rebuilt the Baiturrahman Mosque as an apology to the people of Aceh.
The Baiturrahman Grand Mosque is now not only one of the oldest mosques in Indonesia, but also one of the most iconic buildings and landmarks in Aceh.
Location: Jl. Moh. Hour No. 1, Kp. Baru, District. Baiturrahman, Banda Aceh City, Aceh
11. Mantingan Mosque
Furthermore, Mantingan is Indonesia's most historic mosque which functions as a center for Islamic preaching along the north coast of Java Island.
One of the earliest mosques in Indonesia, built in 1559 by the Sultan of Demak Makan, has the tombs of various historical figures, including Sultan Hadlirin (Sunan Mantingan), Queen Kalinyamat, Patih Sungging Badar Duwung, and a person of Chinese descent named Cie Gwi Gwan.
The architecture of the oldest mosque in Indonesia is different from other mosques because it combines many typical Chinatown architectural touches. The tiles and stairs in this oldest mosque were transported directly from Macau.
Location: Mantingan, District. Annually, Jepara Regency, Central Java 59421
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12. Tuo Kayu Jao Mosque
The Tuo Kayu Jao Mosque is one of the cultural heritage sites in West Sumatra which is supervised by the Center for the Preservation of Archaeological Heritage. Apart from its age, this mosque, which was founded in 1599, has unique architectural characteristics influenced by the Minangkabau style.
Even after several renovations, one of the oldest mosques in Indonesia, which still uses local traditional building materials, still maintains its original architecture.
Location: Hamlet 3, Kayu jao, Mt. Talang, Solok, West Sumatra 27365
This is the oldest historic mosque building in Indonesia. Apart from having historical significance, the oldest mosque in Indonesia also functions as a place of pilgrimage and religious tourism, especially for Muslims throughout the archipelago.
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