Gedung Marba; Red Brick Building Near The Old City Park

As mentioned on Semarang Government's Official Website, Marba is actually an acronym of somebody's name: "Marta Badjunet". He was an Arab Yemenite trader, a famous rich trader during Dutch Colonial Era who is known as the initiator of this building existence on the age of 19th century. This masonry facade signage is still remaining there, at the entry corner side of the building.


The Marba Building is situated in the corner of a crossroad and most of its facades are facing to the Srigunting Park across the road. The building looks prominent enough, maybe because the color of red brick facade and its rich facade details. Visually, the red brick facade provide a nice color contrast against its white facade architraves and pilasters details. I think the building is also nicely set-up because the existence of surrounding green trees both in pedestrian and in the park across the street.



The entry facade of this Marba Building is slightly facing in an angle to the location of ex. "Der Spiegel" Building that is currently found in poor condition. It is different situation found in Marba Building, that fortunately is still found in relatively well-preserved condition and become one of visual point of interest in the scenery setting of Semarang old city conservation area.

Srigunting Park; A Green Park with Four Old Tamarind Trees

'Srigunting' is a local name of a local bird with its 'scissors-like' tail. The park is currently is named with a bird name maybe because surrounding neighborhood small streets nearby are named with bird names. The park itself is like a small green oasis in the old city conservation area and situated directly near "Gereja Blenduk" site.


There are four big old tamarind trees that is shadowing this open park area and become a main green point of interest around "Gereja Blenduk" area. The open space that is created by the park provide adequate exposures that makes the old buildings around the park are properly visible in its best angle of views.



During Dutch Colonial Era, this park is known as Parade Plein. The park is previously revitalized by local authority and another future plans maybe prepared. for some changes. At least until today the remaining four old tamarind trees are still existed there. Nowadays, Srigunting Park with its old big trees is still give enough shadows and keep the center of old city conservation area condition in comfortably fresh and cool during hot days at Semarang City.

Gereja 'Blenduk'; Where The Sunset is Happened inbetween Its Silhouette and Lush Tamarind Trees

No doubt about this building - known as "Gereja Blenduk" (a local naming means a 'Domed' Church) - should be one of famous iconic buildings from the remaining old city of Semarang. Currently known as GPIB Immanuel Church, a Church that is situated in the middle of Semarang old city conservation area that is built during Dutch Colonial Era. Many literature sand publications have already highlighted the existence of this building, particularly in associated with its architectural detailed appearances.


Obviously, The Church is carefully planned and designed as main point of interest in the midlde of the area. It was existed as a stand-alone 'loose' building in a kind of a small city square that is surrounding in a distance by other buildings nearby. Until today, somebody can always take a walk freely around the Church and acquires every details belong to the building in every angle point of views. The Church is almost has many spatially well-managed exposures, it can be nicely viewed from every streets that are directing to Church location.


During afternoon time, somebody who seat in the park nearby can always experiencing a sunset moment, when the sun gradually setting-down from the lush of old tamarind trees to the west concealed skyline behind the shadow of the 'Blenduk' Church.