Lawang Sewu: Semarang's Historic Thousand-Door Building
- 25 Sep 2026 17:27 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
RRI.CO.ID, Semarang - Lawang Sewu stands as one of Semarang’s most recognizable landmarks, blending colonial architecture with Indonesia’s railway history. The historic complex is owned by PT Kereta Api Indonesia and managed by PT Kereta Api Pariwisata.
The complex originally served as the headquarters of the Dutch railway company Nederlandsch-Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij. Construction of the main building began in 1904 and was completed in 1907.
Dutch architects Jakob F. Klinkhamer and B.J. Ouendag designed the complex from Amsterdam. An additional building wing was later developed between 1916 and 1918, expanding the railway headquarters.
Lawang Sewu features an L-shaped layout with numerous doors and windows throughout the complex. This distinctive architecture inspired its popular name, which means “a thousand doors” in Indonesian.
The building also contains detailed stained-glass artworks created by Johannes Lourens Schouten. The artworks represent themes connected with Java, Dutch colonial influence, and the development of railways.
Today, Lawang Sewu operates as a museum documenting Indonesia’s railway heritage through historical collections. Visitors can see vintage ticketing machines, typewriters, a replica steam locomotive, and materials documenting the building’s restoration.
The complex has served different functions throughout its history, including offices during the Japanese occupation and military headquarters. After restoration, Lawang Sewu reopened as a cultural heritage site in 2011.
Today, the site welcomes visitors while also hosting exhibitions, cultural events, weddings, and photography sessions. A small library near the exit also provides books and materials related to Indonesia’s railway history.
For travelers exploring Central Java, Lawang Sewu offers an opportunity to experience history through architecture, museum collections, and preserved cultural spaces. Its distinctive design and railway heritage make it an important cultural landmark in Semarang.
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