The House of "Roode Driehoek"

This is an old small building which is located in a T-intersection street in the middle of Semarang Old City Conservation Area. Maybe this one of a famous spot where peoples use it as distinctive photo background for their pre-wedding pictures or photograph memories during their trip around Semarang City. The photograph pictures then will tell the story as if they were standing in front of a building in a city in Netherlands.

The main point of interest belong to this house is the "Roode Driehoek" text as a facade signage over an arch entry door transom. So far, there is not many historical references could not be found to explain what does the word of "Roode Driehoek" should mean. Is this could be freely translated as 'Red Triangle'? Is the meaning of 'Red Triangle' is associated with war and political term that used in Europe during World War II ?

"The Peek House" at 'Achterkerkstraat'

With reference to some historical notes, this building originally known as Kantoor Tasripin. Tasripin was one of the Indonesian richest people in the beginning of the 20th Century. Nowadays, this building known as Peek House. Peek House is situated at about 100 meter north-east of Blenduk Church or 360 meter south of Tawang Train Station. The building is situated at Garuda Street, this is street was known as Achterkerkstraat during Dutch Colonial Era that connecting Merak Street (Norder-wall-Straat) near Tawang Train Station to Letjen Suprapto Street (Heerenstraat). The building also accessible from a small branch street near The Spiegel's House.

Peek House itself not directly facing to the main street. Peek House main entry is accessible from a small branch street. Actually, it makes Peek House entry slightly concealed from any point of main pedestrian area.This is a two-storey building with a series of tall wooden windows with transoms as main elements to its facade. A long narrow balcony is situated at building entry side facing to south. Stainless steel balustrade and outdoor A/C units are poorly placed at this balcony level.

Previously, the building is functioned as a private art gallery. It seems not many art exhibitions were happened here. Nowadays, even though the building looks well preserved, it often looks like an empty building with many windows and main entry door remain closed from day to day.

An Old Neighborhood Building behind the Spiegel's House

 

Just a series of snapshots to an neighborhood old building behind the Spiegel's House during an afternoon day. This building is identified as a house number 12A, currently situated between Garuda and Kedasih Street, not far from the "Peek House".

 

This is a two-storeys building with rich detailing on upper floor facade with red brick work arches, wooden transoms, ornamental metal brackets and small balcony. It seem the wrought iron brackets are remaining parts belong to the lost overhung structures that originally covered the windows. The building looks well-preserved, even though its actually located across a 'slum' houses and directly located behind the famous unpreserved Spiegel's House.

When the Trains Run on Seaside Railway to Semarang City

  
This is a snapshot of a very common seaside view when train passengers experiencing a travel by train to Semarang City. About hour before entering Semarang City from Jakarta City (and vice versa), they will experiencing a stunning seaside landscape. There are some spots where the railways are situated very closed against the beach and allowing every train passengers could see how strong the sea waves hit black stones along the beach. This a way to experiencing panoramic Java Sea views from a train that run on seaside railway.

  

The train just pass trough on the railway which is situated between beach on one side and forest on other side. Train passengers could also viewing local fishermen compounds along the beach including their daily activities on fish auction market and traditional fish port where the fishermen park their boats. In many occasions train passengers can experiencing some fishermen boats are floating around in a proximity. Of course, this seaside railway experiences could only be enjoyed when the train pass this spot before and after the night time.

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.