The Great Mosque of Surakarta

The Great Mosque of Surakarta is located north of Klewer Market, precisely on the west side of the northern square (alun-alun lor) of the Surakarta Palace. This mosque, which features ancient Javanese architecture, is one of the oldest mosques in Indonesia. As part of the Kasunanan Surakarta Palace, the Great Mosque occupies an area of 19,180 square meters. It is separated from its surroundings by an enclosing wall 3.25 meters high. The main building of the mosque is built in the tajug style, with a three-tiered roof crowned by a mustaka (ornamental finial).

Within the mosque complex are various structures reflecting the cultural blend of Javanese and Islamic traditions. Among them is the maksura, a feature commonly found in royal mosques.

Although the main mosque building has ancient Javanese architecture, its main gate is designed in Arab-Persian style. Located east of the main building, the gate stands majestically with a large central door flanked by two smaller doors on either side. From the main gate, visitors enter the mosque veranda, which stretches from south to north, with a central section protruding outward, called the tratag rambat.

The main mosque building is supported by four sokoguru (main pillars) and twelve saka rawa (supporting pillars), resembling the structure of a traditional Javanese joglo house. Inside, there is also a mihrab and a pulpit (mimbar) used for delivering sermons. From the outside, the roof of the mosque resembles that of the Great Mosque of Demak, with its layered limasan-style roof. Other facilities include the pawestren, a prayer room for women, and a meeting hall. Almost every part of the mosque is built with solid teak wood.

Beyond its architectural uniqueness, the mosque courtyard contains other notable features. To the north and south, just inside the main gate, are two identical pagongan pavilions, which house the royal gamelan instruments used during the Sekaten festival. There is also a stable and carriage garage for the king when attending Friday prayers and Grebeg ceremonies. The mosque’s call-to-prayer tower shows architectural influence from the Qutub Minar in Delhi, India. Another feature is the istiwak, a gnomon (sundial pole) used to determine prayer times. Finally, there is the gedang selirang, a building designated for palace attendants who manage the mosque’s operations.