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Great Mosque of Banten


History


The 16th-century mosque was one of the few surviving remnants of what used to be the port city of Banten, the most prosperous trading center in the Indonesian archipelago after the fall of Demak Sultanate in mid-16th century.

A Javanese-styled pawestren (side hall, used for female's praying hall) was added during the reign of Maulana Muhammad (1580-1586). The southern serambi (porch) of the mosque was converted into a tomb containing about 15 graves.

n 1632, a 24-meter minaret was added to the mosque complex. The minaret was designed by a Chineseman Cek-ban-cut.Around similar period the Dutch-styled tiyamah was added to the mosque following the design of Hendrik Lucaasz Cardeel, a Dutchman who was converted to Islam.


Urban and Architectural


The Great Mosque of Banten shows eclectic design, a proof of the international influence in Banten at the time of its construction in 1552. The mosque was constructed in Javanese style during the reign of Sultan Maulana Yusuf, the third Sultan of Banten Sultanate, in Dzulhijjah ah 966 (1566 CE).

The design elements of the Great Mosque of Banten have religious and cultural influences from Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, the Chinese and the Dutch. These cultures have imposed their values and styles on the architecture of the Great Mosque of Banten, but have also blended well with the Javanese culture of Indonesia.

The overall structure of the mosque is often considered to have made reference to the human body according to concepts related to the human body in traditional Javanese culture. According to the concept, the building can be divided up into three parts: the head, the body, and the foot. Respectively, the roof of the Great Mosque of Banten represents the head, the wall represents the body and the stumps represent the feet.

The roof of the mosque was built in joglo style, a traditional Javanese roof style. It consists of tiered levels, which represents different characteristics of the Islamic faith. The tiered levels of the roof, in order of bottom to top, represent: all Muslims, the Faithful, the Benefactor, the Sincere, and the Cautious. The roof is of a triangular style, with the tip of the roof representing the creator, Allah, at the higher point of the Islamic faith. This triangular style is similar to the form of a bamboo shoot. This follows the traditional pyramidal roof style of the typical Javanese mosque.

The body of the mosque consists of 24 columns (tiang soko) that are octagonal in shape and are placed in the middle of the mosque in order to support the roof. There are four main columns and 20 support ones, following typical Javanese culture. Each column has a pumpkin-like shape and a lotus flower design at the top and bottom. This lotus design symbolizes the presence and rise of Islam in Indonesia and is also a symbol of strength for converted Muslims as they engage in a new lifestyle. The pumpkin shape is significant due to its importance as a food source during Indonesia's dry season. The circular shape of the column comes from Buddhism influence, as it represents the balance of forces from different directions and focus of energy in the mosque.

The feet (umpak) of the mosque supports the 24 columns and symbolizes the connection between the ground and Allah. As such, the umpak of the mosque acts as the foundation, bringing the mosque to life by holding it up.


Description


Great Mosque of Banten (Indonesian Masjid Agung Banten) is a historic mosque in Ancient Banten, 10 km north of Serang, Indonesia. The 16th-century mosque was one of the few surviving leftovers of what used to be the port city of Banten, the foremost affluent trading center in the Indonesian archipelago after the fall of Demak Sultanate in mid-16th century.

Details

Location

Komplek masjid agung Banten RT/RW 001/011, Banten, Kec. Kasemen, Kota Serang, Banten 42191, Indonesia

Worshippers

5000

Owners

Sultan Maulana Yusuf

Year of Build

1566

Area

1.3 hectares

Drawings

Map

History

The 16th-century mosque was one of the few surviving remnants of what used to be the port city of Banten, the most prosperous trading center in the Indonesian archipelago after the fall of Demak Sultanate in mid-16th century.

A Javanese-styled pawestren (side hall, used for female's praying hall) was added during the reign of Maulana Muhammad (1580-1586). The southern serambi (porch) of the mosque was converted into a tomb containing about 15 graves.

n 1632, a 24-meter minaret was added to the mosque complex. The minaret was designed by a Chineseman Cek-ban-cut.Around similar period the Dutch-styled tiyamah was added to the mosque following the design of Hendrik Lucaasz Cardeel, a Dutchman who was converted to Islam.


Urban and Architectural

The Great Mosque of Banten shows eclectic design, a proof of the international influence in Banten at the time of its construction in 1552. The mosque was constructed in Javanese style during the reign of Sultan Maulana Yusuf, the third Sultan of Banten Sultanate, in Dzulhijjah ah 966 (1566 CE).

The design elements of the Great Mosque of Banten have religious and cultural influences from Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, the Chinese and the Dutch. These cultures have imposed their values and styles on the architecture of the Great Mosque of Banten, but have also blended well with the Javanese culture of Indonesia.

The overall structure of the mosque is often considered to have made reference to the human body according to concepts related to the human body in traditional Javanese culture. According to the concept, the building can be divided up into three parts: the head, the body, and the foot. Respectively, the roof of the Great Mosque of Banten represents the head, the wall represents the body and the stumps represent the feet.

The roof of the mosque was built in joglo style, a traditional Javanese roof style. It consists of tiered levels, which represents different characteristics of the Islamic faith. The tiered levels of the roof, in order of bottom to top, represent: all Muslims, the Faithful, the Benefactor, the Sincere, and the Cautious. The roof is of a triangular style, with the tip of the roof representing the creator, Allah, at the higher point of the Islamic faith. This triangular style is similar to the form of a bamboo shoot. This follows the traditional pyramidal roof style of the typical Javanese mosque.

The body of the mosque consists of 24 columns (tiang soko) that are octagonal in shape and are placed in the middle of the mosque in order to support the roof. There are four main columns and 20 support ones, following typical Javanese culture. Each column has a pumpkin-like shape and a lotus flower design at the top and bottom. This lotus design symbolizes the presence and rise of Islam in Indonesia and is also a symbol of strength for converted Muslims as they engage in a new lifestyle. The pumpkin shape is significant due to its importance as a food source during Indonesia's dry season. The circular shape of the column comes from Buddhism influence, as it represents the balance of forces from different directions and focus of energy in the mosque.

The feet (umpak) of the mosque supports the 24 columns and symbolizes the connection between the ground and Allah. As such, the umpak of the mosque acts as the foundation, bringing the mosque to life by holding it up.


Description

Great Mosque of Banten (Indonesian Masjid Agung Banten) is a historic mosque in Ancient Banten, 10 km north of Serang, Indonesia. The 16th-century mosque was one of the few surviving leftovers of what used to be the port city of Banten, the foremost affluent trading center in the Indonesian archipelago after the fall of Demak Sultanate in mid-16th century.