04 Jul
6 Unique Facts About Semarang You Need to Know
Semarang City, the capital of Central Java Province, is the fifth-largest metropolitan city in Indonesia after Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, and Bandung. Located approximately 558 km east of Jakarta, Semarang serves not only as an administrative center but also as a crucial hub in the history of trade and transportation in the Nusantara archipelago.
However, Semarang's history and attractions don't stop there. Here are six unique facts about Semarang City that you should know:
1. A Port City That Became an Important Trade Center
Semarang's growth is inseparable from its strategic location on the northern coast of Java Island. As a port city, maritime trade has been the backbone of the city's economy since the pre-colonial era. The Semarang River used to be an important waterway for ships and boats, although it is no longer used today due to sedimentation.
Currently known as Tanjung Emas Port, this port remains the heart of Semarang's logistics and trade to this day.
Read also: Optimizing Batam's Import-Export Potential for Sustainable Economic Growth
2. Semarang City's Historically Rich Anniversary
Every May 2nd, the people of Semarang commemorate Semarang City's Anniversary. This date refers to the historical event when Ki Pandan Arang II, an important figure from the Mataram Kingdom, opened the Semarang coastal area as a settlement and trading port in 1547. This moment is considered the beginning of Semarang as a city.
This important event also coincided with the commemoration of the Prophet Muhammad's birthday, which fell on 12 Rabiul Awal 954 Hijriah. Since then, May 2nd has been designated as Semarang City's Anniversary. This year marks its 477th anniversary.
3. Semarang and the Important Role of Railways in Indonesia
Did you know that the first railway line in Indonesia was built in Semarang? The line connected Semarang Gudang Station (formerly known as Samarang NIS) to Tanggung in Grobogan Regency and was inaugurated on August 10, 1867, by the Dutch private company, Nederlandsch-Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij (NIS).
This construction was initiated by a private company named Naamlooze Vennootschap Nederlandsch Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij (NV NISM), which in Indonesian means "Limited Liability Company of the Netherlands-Indonesian Railway Company".
The construction of this line marked a new era of transportation in Indonesia and strengthened Semarang's role as a crucial node in the national logistics network.
4. A City with Many Nicknames
Semarang has several nicknames that reflect its rich history and culture. Some of them are:
- Kota Atlas: An acronym for Aman (Safe), Tertib (Orderly), Lancar (Smooth), Asri (Beautiful), and Sehat (Healthy), a vision for city development.
- Venetie van Java: A nickname from the colonial era because of the many canals in the city that are reminiscent of Venice in Italy.
- Kota Lumpia: Because lumpia is one of Semarang's iconic culinary specialties.
These nicknames reflect the city's diverse faces, from its geographical, historical, and culinary aspects.
5. Upper Semarang and Lower Semarang
Geographically, Semarang City is divided into two main areas: Upper Semarang and Lower Semarang.
- Lower Semarang: The lowland area near the coast. This is where the center of trade, port, and government activities is located.
- Upper Semarang: Located in the hills, this area is cooler and is now a rapidly developing residential and educational area.
This division reflects the challenges and potential for development in a city with varied geographical contours.
6. Johar Market, the First and Largest Modern Market in Southeast Asia
Johar Market is no ordinary market. Built during the colonial era and designed by the Dutch architect, Thomas Karsten, this market was once called the largest modern market in Southeast Asia in its time.
With an area of 1.5 hectares and a tropical modern architecture that is climate-friendly, Johar Market became a symbol of the city's progress in the field of trade. Although it suffered a major fire in 2015, the city government has restored it, and it is now operating again as a center of people's economic activities.
With its various unique features, Semarang City is not just a provincial capital, but a historical, commercial, and cultural hub that continues to evolve over time. With its rich historical heritage, strategic role in transportation and trade, and preserved cultural wealth, Semarang deserves to be called one of the most influential cities in Indonesia.
Read also: Understanding Door-to-Door and Port-to-Port Methods in International Shipping
source:
6 Interesting Facts about Semarang City, Once Nicknamed the Venice of Java
10 Unique Facts about Semarang: Fortress City, Legendary Market, and Amazing Culinary Paradise
