Architectural style native to Dutch East Indies era
Pasar Besar (market area) circa 1930Toendjoengan (1953)Military canteen in Surabaya
Colonial architecture in Surabaya (Dutch: Soerabaja) includes the legacy of neoclassical architecture and Dutch architecture built during the Dutch East Indies era. Kota Lama (transl. Old City) in Surabaya is a tourist attraction but faces problems with the deterioration of older buildings. It includes Dutch architecture, has an Arab quarter and areas exhibiting Chinese influence.[1]Jembatan Merah is an area known for its Dutch architecture.[1]
For many years after Indonesia became independent, the colonial buildings in Kota Lama were ignored. By the mid-2020s, however, the Old City had come to be seen as key to boosting the city's economy by attracting tourists. In July 2024, the city formally launched a revitalised Kota Lama, and within a few months city officials were pleased with the outcome of the revitalisation.[3]
Even though a majority of Surabayans have negative views about the Dutch colonial era, they do admire the old buildings the colonists left behind. Volunteers have turned out in droves to clean up Kota Lama, and young Indonesians now flock to the area for the cultural experience, or to take the perfect Instagram photo.[3]
Gallery
Bijeenkomsthuis (meeting house)
Entrance portal of "De ingangspoort" (Perseverance), Royal Factory Steam and other machines in the year 1857 by F.J.H. Baijer
Harbor office in Surabaya and memorial on the occasion of the visit of Governor General Fock (September, 1922)
Meubelmagazijn Pröttel;[36][37] Kantoor Surabaiasch Handelsblad;[36][37] Kantor Suara Asia;[36][37] Gedung Brantas;[36] Kantor Harian Memorandum;[36] Kantor Catatan Sipil Kota Surabaya;[36] Kantor Dinas Perumahan Surabaya;[36] Gedung Penanaman Modal (BPM) Jawa Timur[36]
Boekhandel J.W.F. Sluyter Soerabaja;[44][70][71][72][73] Van Dorp & Co;[44][72] Toko Aneka Dharma;[70] a car showroom;[70] Bank Dagang Negara;[70] Bank Bumi Daya/PT. Saver;[70][74] Kantor Yayasan Majelis Dzikir Surabaya "Nurussalam"[70]
^Numerous sources claim that the Siola Building was constructed in 1877. However, reliable sources state that that is the year that co-founder Robert Laidlaw moved to India, that the business of Whiteaway Laidlaw & Co was not founded until 1882, and that it initially operated department stores in India, not the Dutch East Indies. See the sources cited in the articles about the co-founder and the business.
Notes
^ abcLonely Planet Indonesia Ryan Ver Berkmoes, Celeste Brash, Muhammad Cohen, Mark Elliott, Guyan Mitra, John Noble, Adam Skolnick, Iain Stewart, and Steve Waters Lonely Planet, Sep 1, 2010
^Kusumo, Budiarto Eko (9 February 2016). "Apotik Simpang Surabaya" [Simpang Pharmacy Surabaya]. Kekunaan: The Story of Indonesian Heritage (in Indonesian). Retrieved 17 March 2025.
^ abcdefghijklmnoNorbruis, Obbe (2022). Arsitektur di Nusantara [Architecture in the Archipelago] (PDF) (in Indonesian). Translated by Tarekat, Hasti. Amsterdam: Hulswit-Fermont-Cuypers Foundation for Indonesian-Dutch Milestones in Architecture. Archived(PDF) from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
^ abBasundoro, Purnawan; Sofansyah, Dio Yulian (2024). Tempat-Tempat Bersejarah di Kota Surabaya [Historical Places in Surabaya City] (PDF) (in Indonesian). Surabaya: Dinas Perpustakaan dan Kearsipan Kota Surabaya [Library and Archives Service of Surabaya City]. p. 144. ISBN9786231064400. Archived(PDF) from the original on 5 March 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
^ abc"Gedung Singa". Direktori Online Kota Surabaya (in Indonesian). 21 June 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
^ abcdKusumo, Budiarto Eko (9 February 2016). "Gedung Bank Mandiri KC Surabaya Niaga" [Bank Mandiri, Surabaya Branch Office, Commercial Area]. Kekunaan: The Story of Indonesian Heritage (in Indonesian). Retrieved 17 March 2025.
^ abcKusumo, Budiarto Eko (12 February 2014). "Gedung Lindeteves Stokvis Surabaya" [Lindeteves Stokvis Building Surabaya]. Kekunaan: The Story of Indonesian Heritage (in Indonesian). Retrieved 17 March 2025.
^ abcKusumo, Budiarto Eko (9 February 2016). "Gedung BNI KLN Jembatan Merah Surabaya" [BNI KLN Jembatan Merah Surabaya Building]. Kekunaan: The Story of Indonesian Heritage (in Indonesian). Retrieved 9 April 2025.
^ abcdefghiKusumo, Budiarto Eko (18 February 2016). "Gedung BPM Jawa Timur" [BPM East Java Building]. Kekunaan: The Story of Indonesian Heritage (in Indonesian). Retrieved 10 April 2025.
^ abcdeKusumo, Budiarto Eko (28 January 2014). "Kantor Pos Simpang Surabaya" [Simpang Surabaya Post Office]. Kekunaan: The Story of Indonesian Heritage (in Indonesian). Retrieved 15 March 2025.
^"Surabaya 1 – Benedenstad" [Surabaya 1 – Lower Town]. Indische Literaire Wandelingen [Netherlands Indian Literary Walks] (in Dutch). Retrieved 15 March 2025.
^ abTjokrosaputro, Teddy; Satriani, Lewi (2012). Triani Retno A.; Rini Nurul Badariah (eds.). 100 Gereja Terindah Indonesia [100 Most Beautiful Churches in Indonesia] (in Indonesian). Jakarta: PT. Andalan Media. p. 126. ISBN9786029973112.
^Akihary, Huib (1990). Architectuur & Stedebouw in Indonesië 1870-1970 [Architecture & Urban Planning in Indonesia] (in Dutch). Zutphen: De Walburg Pers. p. 145. ISBN9072691024.
^ abcKusumo, Budiarto Eko (22 February 2016). "Hotel Ibis Surabaya Rajawali". Kekunaan: The Story of Indonesian Heritage (in Indonesian). Retrieved 10 April 2025.
^ abc"Pusaka Jawatimuran: Kantor Gubernur" [East Javanese Heritage: Governor's Office]. East Java Library & Archives Service (in Indonesian). 2010. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
^"Pusaka Jawatimuran: Kantor Gubernur" [East Javanese Heritage: Governor's Office]. East Java Library & Archives Service (in Indonesian). 2008. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
^"INCAR | Kantor Gubernur Provinsi Jawa Timur" [INCAR | Office of the Governor of the Province of East Java]. East Java Province Cultural Heritage Information (Informasi Cagar Budaya Provinsi Jawa Timur (INCAR) ) (in Indonesian). Retrieved 4 March 2025.
^ abc"PTPN X (Koloniale Bank)". Direktori Online Kota Surabaya (in Indonesian). 22 June 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
^Kusumo, Budiarto Eko (15 February 2016). "Kantor Direksi PTPN X Surabaya" [Office of the Board of Directors of PTPN X Surabaya]. Kekunaan: The Story of Indonesian Heritage (in Indonesian). Retrieved 18 March 2025.
^ abcd"Gedung PTPN XI" [PTPN XI Building]. Surabaya Tourism (in Indonesian). Retrieved 22 March 2025.
^ abcdefgKusumo, Budiarto Eko (31 January 2016). "Gedung Yayasan Majelis Dzikir Surabaya "Nurussalam"" [Surabaya Dhikr Assembly Foundation Building "Nurussalam"]. Kekunaan: The Story of Indonesian Heritage (in Indonesian). Retrieved 18 March 2025.
^ abc"Kantor Pos Besar Kebonrojo". Direktori Online Kota Surabaya (in Indonesian). 22 June 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
^ abPurwono, Nanang (16 August 2023). "Kantor Pos Besar - Kantor Pos Kecil" [Main Post Office – Small Post Office]. Begandring (in Indonesian). Retrieved 15 March 2025.
^"Home". Varna Culture Hotel Soerabaia. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
^Kusumo, Budiarto Eko (31 January 2016). "Varna Culture Hotel Soerabaia" [Varna Culture Hotel Surabaya]. Kekunaan: The Story of Indonesian Heritage (in Indonesian). Retrieved 17 March 2025.
Further reading
The heritage and impact of Dutch architecture and civil engineering in Surabaya and Malang Petra University Surabaya 2003
Nuraini, Faiq (28 June 2024). "Kunjungi Deretan Gedung Eksotik di Wisata Kota Lama Surabaya, Berikut Sejarahnya" [Visit a Row of Exotic Buildings in Surabaya's Old Town Tour, Here's the History]. tribunjatim-timur.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 23 March 2025. (article recommending a list of 9 buildings to observe during a visit to Kota Lama – can be machine translated into English)
"Portal Data: Cagar Budaya" [Data Portal: Cultural Heritage]. Department of Culture, Youth and Sports and Tourism of Surabaya City (in Indonesian). Retrieved 7 April 2025.
Kusumo, Budiarto Eko (14 July 2015). "Daftar Bangunan Kuno di Kota Surabaya" [List of Ancient Buildings in Surabaya City]. Kekunaan: The Story of Indonesian Heritage (in Indonesian). Retrieved 7 April 2025.
"Bangunan Cagar Budaya" [Cultural Heritage Buildings]. Direktori Online Vokasi Unair [Unair Vocational Online Directory] (in Indonesian). Airlangga University. Retrieved 7 April 2025. – has links, via tabs "Destinasi Wisata" [Tourist Destinations], "Wisata Budaya" [Cultural Tourism], and "Bangunan Cagar Budaya" [Cultural Heritage Buildings], to information about 30 European-style cultural heritage buildings
"Surabaya: Kampung Eropa". i-Discover.Asia. Retrieved 19 March 2025. – an English language guide for a city walk of the European Quarter of the Kota Lama (Old City), Surabaya
"Perkantik Kawasan Wisata Heritage, zona Eropa Kota Lama Surabaya direvitalisasi" [Beautifying Heritage Tourism Area, European zone of Surabaya old city revitalized]. www.surabaya.go.id (in Indonesian). Surabaya City Government. 16 January 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2025. – news from the City of Surabaya about heritage tourism