Semarang Old Town | 17th Century Dutch Colonial Buildings | Central Java, Indonesia
Semarang Old Town (“Kota Lama Semarang” in Indonesian) is a colonial town in Semarang, the capital of the Indonesian province of Central Java. The historic neighborhood was founded in the 17th century and was a busy trading center from the 19th to 20th centuries.
The old town of Semarang is often referred to as “the Little Netherlands” because Dutch and other Europeans once lived here. Due to discrimination by the Dutch colonial government, native Indonesians were not allowed to perform functions other than servants to the white residents. Although they are about 200 to 300 years old, the typical European buildings in the tourist area of Semarang Old Town still stand strong, retaining their majestic charm and waiting to tell the story of conquests and sufferings to those willing to listen .
Today, Semarang Old Town is open to all and ready to delight locals and travelers alike. As a meeting of old and new, Semarang's old town is now an attractive tourist destination. Tourists can now enjoy the typical European buildings in the tourist area of Semarang Old Town, which are still well preserved. This 31-hectare area is an attraction for tourists who want to explore the history of Semarang during the Dutch colonial period. In addition to trendy cafes and restaurants, you can also find interesting sights such as galleries and historical buildings in the Semarang Old Town tourist area.