Semarang: The Great Mosque of Central Java (Masjid Agung Semarang)

Our first journey to Semarang was started in Masjid Agung Semarang, or The Great Mosque of Central Java. I was going with my other 3 female friends and all of them are a very very, very good Muslim, so they’re happy when I recommend them this place J As well as because we’re from Yogyakarta and there’s no such huge mosque like this Great Mosque of Central Java (Masjid Agung Semarang) so we kinda curious to see the greatness of it.

The Great Mosque of Central Java from 19th floor Tower

Starting the journey by Bus from Yogyakarta to Semarang, it took 3 hours and we stop at Sukun Terminal. We were quite blank and didn’t know how to get into this Great Mosque of Central Java so we asked people around, and kinda get fooled. It’s because we are tourist, they put the price IDR 8000 for one time ride per person. FYI, city bus (bus that operated inside city area only) usually only cost IDR 3500. Then we think, perhaps it is better for us to take taxi instead since we were traveling in group so the cost would be even cheaper than by bus with better and more comfortable ride too and since the bus stops waaaaay far faaaaar from The Great Mosque of Central Java, we walked like 2km from bus stop. But if riding by taxi, we can be dropped right in front of The Great Mosque of Central Java.

Masjid Agung Semarang a.k.a The Great Mosque located in Semarang, Central Java. This mosque is biggest one n central java with quite strong historical value. Most of Indonesian people are muslims, so many of them pay a visit to this great mosque. Not only consist of mosque, Great Mosque of Central Java also has another attractive spot which is the 99 meters high tower. It was made as 99 meters as adapting 99 Names of Allah. You can go up to the top of tower and see the landscape of Semarang city. On the second and third floor, there's also a museum about the spreading of Islam in Java.

The yard almost looks like An-Nabawi Mosque in Madinah, which has giant umbrella that are folded most of the time. But there are strict rule inside the mosque which is you have to wear appropriate muslim attire, like for women, must wear veil, long shirt/trousers, long sleeve. For women on period are also not allowed to enter the mosque, since mosques are holy places and women on period are not. That is the written regulation, but I don’t see anyone to follow up or penalize if there’s any lawbreaker.