Baiturrahman Grand Mosque
History
The
original Masjid Raya ("Grand Mosque") was built in 1612 during the
reign of Sultan Iskandar Muda. Some say the original mosque was built even
earlier in 1292 by Sultan Alaidin Mahmudsyah. The original royal mosque
featured a multi-tiered thatched roof, a typical feature of Acehnese
architecture.
When the Colonial administration of the Dutch East Indies attacked the Kraton During the First Aceh Expedition on 10 April 1873, the Acehnese attacked the KNIL from the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque. From some flares shot onto the thatched roof, the mosque caught fire. General van Swieten promised the local rulers he would rebuild the mosque and create a warm place for mercy.
In 1879 the Dutch rebuilt
the Mosque Baiturrahman as a gift to — and to reduce the anger of — the
Acehnese. Construction only began in 1879, when the first stone was laid by
Tengku Qadhi Malikul Adil, who became its first imam, and was completed on 27
December 1881 during the reign of Muhammad Daud Syah, the last sultan of Aceh.
Many Acehnese initially refused to pray at Baiturrahman because it was built by
the Dutch, whom they were warring against. Nowadays, however, it is a source of
pride for Banda Aceh.
Before
1935, the new Baiturrahman Grand Mosque featured one dome and one
minaret. At first, the mosque featured only one dome and one minaret. More
domes and minarets were added in 1935, 1958 and 1982. Today the mosque has
seven domes and eight minarets, including the highest in Banda Aceh.
The mosque survived the 2004 earthquake and tsunami with minor damages such as wall cracks. The earthquake had slightly tilted and cracked the 35-meter minaret by the main gate. During the disaster, the mosque served as a temporary shelter for displaced persons and only reopened for prayers after two weeks.
Description
Baiturrahman
Grand Mosque is a Mosque located in the center of Banda Aceh city, Aceh
Province, Indonesia. The Baiturrahman Grand Mosque is a symbol of religion, culture,
spirit, strength, struggle and nationalism of the Acehnese people. The mosque
is a landmark of Banda Aceh and has survived the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
The
mosque was originally designed by the Dutch architect Gerrit Bruins. The design
was subsequently adapted by L.P. Luijks, who also supervised the construction
work done by contractor Lie A Sie. The design chosen is Mughal revival style,
characterized by grand domes and minarets. The unique black domes are
constructed from hard wood shingles combined as tiles.
The
interior is decorated with relieved wall and pillars, marble staircase and
floor from China, stained-glass windows from Belgium, well-decorated wooden
doors, and ornate bronze chandeliers. The building stones are from the
Netherlands. At the time of its completion, this new design presented a stark
contrast compared with the original mosque that many Acehnese refused to pray
in the mosque, because it was built by the Dutch "infidels". Today
however, the mosque has become the pride of Banda Aceh. Today, the mosque has 7
domes, 8 minarets, and 32 pillars.
Details
Location
Masjid Raya, Kp. Baru, Kec. Baiturrahman, Kota Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia
Drawings
Map
History
The
original Masjid Raya ("Grand Mosque") was built in 1612 during the
reign of Sultan Iskandar Muda. Some say the original mosque was built even
earlier in 1292 by Sultan Alaidin Mahmudsyah. The original royal mosque
featured a multi-tiered thatched roof, a typical feature of Acehnese
architecture.
When the Colonial administration of the Dutch East Indies attacked the Kraton During the First Aceh Expedition on 10 April 1873, the Acehnese attacked the KNIL from the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque. From some flares shot onto the thatched roof, the mosque caught fire. General van Swieten promised the local rulers he would rebuild the mosque and create a warm place for mercy.
In 1879 the Dutch rebuilt
the Mosque Baiturrahman as a gift to — and to reduce the anger of — the
Acehnese. Construction only began in 1879, when the first stone was laid by
Tengku Qadhi Malikul Adil, who became its first imam, and was completed on 27
December 1881 during the reign of Muhammad Daud Syah, the last sultan of Aceh.
Many Acehnese initially refused to pray at Baiturrahman because it was built by
the Dutch, whom they were warring against. Nowadays, however, it is a source of
pride for Banda Aceh.
Before
1935, the new Baiturrahman Grand Mosque featured one dome and one
minaret. At first, the mosque featured only one dome and one minaret. More
domes and minarets were added in 1935, 1958 and 1982. Today the mosque has
seven domes and eight minarets, including the highest in Banda Aceh.
The mosque survived the 2004 earthquake and tsunami with minor damages such as wall cracks. The earthquake had slightly tilted and cracked the 35-meter minaret by the main gate. During the disaster, the mosque served as a temporary shelter for displaced persons and only reopened for prayers after two weeks.
Description
Baiturrahman
Grand Mosque is a Mosque located in the center of Banda Aceh city, Aceh
Province, Indonesia. The Baiturrahman Grand Mosque is a symbol of religion, culture,
spirit, strength, struggle and nationalism of the Acehnese people. The mosque
is a landmark of Banda Aceh and has survived the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
The
mosque was originally designed by the Dutch architect Gerrit Bruins. The design
was subsequently adapted by L.P. Luijks, who also supervised the construction
work done by contractor Lie A Sie. The design chosen is Mughal revival style,
characterized by grand domes and minarets. The unique black domes are
constructed from hard wood shingles combined as tiles.
The
interior is decorated with relieved wall and pillars, marble staircase and
floor from China, stained-glass windows from Belgium, well-decorated wooden
doors, and ornate bronze chandeliers. The building stones are from the
Netherlands. At the time of its completion, this new design presented a stark
contrast compared with the original mosque that many Acehnese refused to pray
in the mosque, because it was built by the Dutch "infidels". Today
however, the mosque has become the pride of Banda Aceh. Today, the mosque has 7
domes, 8 minarets, and 32 pillars.