Awaiting Lost Tower to be Rebuilt for "de Cultuur Maatschappij der Vorstenlanden MV" Building

First time I took picture of this building was two years ago, where the south-end side tower belong to this building is already lost. It was documented in my blog post dated 18 January 2011. One year after that, I saw the main roof in the middle part of the building is partially collapsed. It was great when I took visit to this building on he year of 2012, this old building was initially revitalized. Many bamboo scaffolding are installed around the building.

The building of PTP-XV - originally known as Cultuur Maatschappij der Vorstenlanden MV. - is one of old Dutch Colonial building at Semarang old city conservation area.  When we stand over the mBerok River bridge, we can always see this building in very prominent appearance. 

Some of old buildings in Semarang City are already gone, and it is great to see some of them are recovered from severed damages. And now we are waiting, will the old lost collapsed tower will be recovered again? Only time will tell......

Old Red Brick Architecture at Gedangan Street

Today, the old Gedangan Street is known as Ronggowarsito Street. The North-end section of this street is mostly surrounding by swamp. Meanwhile the 300 meter long of the South-end side of this street is look specific in its appearance by the existence of prominent old red brick buildings at both sides of the street. When we take a walk pass through this street, it feel like we walk at city in Northern Europe within its famous old buildings with red brick Gothic Architecture or red brick Romanesque Architecture style.

 Old Gedangan Church or currently known as St Joseph Church is situated at eastern side of the street. Meanwhile, Kanisius Foundation Complex is situated at the opposite western side. Both two buildings appear in similar style of red brick architecture. Based on history notes, Gedangan Church is initially built in the year of 1870 by Dutch Catholic Priest. It look well preserved for more than 140 years and become a city landmark in Semarang City, particularly in North part of the city.

Masjid Pekojan, an Old Masjid near a Chinese Quarter

Masjid Pekojan is one of some old Masjid in Semarang City that is hidden in the middle of a quarter. The Masjid is situated near a T-intersection street against the Pekojan main road that commonly known as part of Chinese quarter in Semarang City. From this main road the Masjid could be easily recognized by the existence of its light-green color tower.

Based on history notes, the Masjid is firstly built in the year of 1309 by some Muslim from Pakistan. Major renovation works are already made. Maybe only small part in the Masjid are originated from the past times such as wooden doors (currently painted in turquoise color), decorative transoms over doors and of course the lectern inside the mihrab that is made from teak wood. A number of old graves are also found underneath lush trees in the front courtyard near the main entry gate.

Snapshot to Remaining Chinese Old Houses at Pekojan and Kranggan

Semarang City is known for its large ethnically Chinese population, and Pekojan and Kranggan are district in Semarang City Chinese population is centralized since Dutch Colonial Era. Nowadays, as always found in typical 'China Town' we can find of common housing that is blended together within commercial and trading places.

In Pekojan and Kranggan area we can find remaining old houses with its unique gabled clay roof. Most of them are two-storey shop-houses where lower level is commonly used as trading space and upper level is commonly used as dwelling unit. Some of old houses remain untreated and may others are already converted to new shop-houses with new look.

Most of photographic pictures in this posting are taken around the north entry gate of Pekojan Street near Jurnatan Street and Pasar Johar market. Just a small part of Pekojan and Kranggan area, one of large Chinese quarter in Semarang City where we can find Chinese population preserve their culture and tradition.

Sanpshot to Old Houses at Tanjung Street Semarang

Tanjung Street is just an about 440 meter long street, a short street that connects the middle part of the famous "Old Bodjong Street" or currently known as Pemuda Street to Imam Bonjol Street (also known as Pendrikan Street in the past time). Tanjung Street itself during Dutch Colonial Era is known as Genielaan. This name of street is related with a Dutch military dormitory complex for combat engineering corps or commonly known as 'zeni' corps.

Nowadays, not far from Pemuda Street intersection we can find a row of remaining old houses, well-preserved old houses with unique facade appearances. These houses are easily identified within the appearance of its rich detailing on wooden roof fascia. These decorative fascia are floating in a distance against facade wall behind and then creating nice shadow on the white walls.