Modern Performances In A Classic City (Surakarta City)

Classic cultural reasons are indeed interesting for every traveler. For me, of course, modern performances should not be missed. What if I enjoy both? Maybe that's interesting.

I will invite you to enjoy modern performances in this interesting-looking building. Honestly, this is the first time I've seen a building with a design like this.

But I will tell you how I got to this place using commuter line transportation. It's just that I walked first from my house to the small station.

Walking To A Small Station In The Village

Before actually arriving in Surakarta City, I had to take the commuter line (KRL) train. So I had to go to Gawok Station first.

The distance from my house to Gawok Station is around 2.6 km, with an estimated walk of around 35 minutes.

Today is very sunny. The view of the mountains is very clear. I was excited to walk to the station. Well, this is the first time I will take a train in this village after I moved to this area. Exactly two months.

Gawok Station

According to the estimate, I arrived 35 minutes more than a few minutes I arrived at Gawok Station. It still looked deserted here. And I waited for the counter to open.

Then, I bought a card that would be used to buy train tickets later. This card costs IDR 40,000 ($2.5) with a balance of IDR 10,000 in it which can be used for one trip.

I didn't have to wait long for the train to arrive to the city because this was a short-distance KRL. And if I didn't get a seat, I could stand for a while because the distance wasn't long.

Inside the train, several seats were already empty because there were passengers getting off. I felt nervous and afraid of missing my stop! I always kept watch to listen carefully to the places of the next stop!

Solo Balapan Station

I arrived in Surakarta City, with the destination being Solo Balapan Station. This is the largest station in the city and has many long-distance routes such as to Jakarta, Malang, and so on.

As I said before, a city with a classic culture is indeed interesting. And for me, Surakarta City is one of them.

For me, Surakarta City has many relics from the glorious kingdom era. This can be seen from the many classic buildings, especially in public places that are still preserved.

Like this Solo Balapan Station. I saw that the design is still very classic at the base of the station.

Benches with the typical colors of the past kingdom in this city are also placed in several corners of the station.

Several regional art ornaments are also embedded around the station.

I also had to take the escalator to get to the exit area. From this area, the modernization of the station has begun to be seen.

From the top of the station, several modern buildings can be seen but there are still classic building roofs. A combination that cannot be separated in this city.

Continuing from this station, I will go to a place with a modern design.

Saminah Sihyadi Mosque

You wouldn't guess that this is a mosque building! I feel wow! Really out of the box and I'm not exaggerating.

This mosque was inaugurated in 2023, it still looks new. It's really cool because it attracts the attention of travelers. Not only is it used as a place of worship but also a stopover for travelers who want to enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of the architecture of this mosque.

The Saminah Sihyadi Mosque is 1.5 km from Solo Balapan Station. So I only traveled by walking.

The Saminah Sihyadi Mosque has a natural building concept, as natural as possible. Close to nature, which means that visitors can also feel the wind and fresh air from around the mosque.

This building was made without wall materials like in general. This is intended so that the air circulation is good and the inside of the mosque feels cool.

From the outside, it looks like a composition of snake fruit skin. This structure allows maximum air to enter and also creates a beautiful artistic element.

At the front, there is a tall tower that functions to make the call to prayer (azan) more clearly audible to a distance.

This is what the composition of iron material used as the building wall looks like as well as for its air circulation function and creating a unique beauty.

For me, the inside of the mosque feels very cool. With the floor using granite material. We also see here, the right and left sides of the building use wooden windows.

Meanwhile, for security, there is an outer brick wall to separateclear between the mosque area and other areas. The brick walls are also decorated with various climbing ornamental plants to beautify the walls.

I looked up to see the ceiling of the mosque. Different from other mosques. Usually mosques generally have a towering dome niche. Meanwhile, because this mosque does not have a dome, the roof of the building is only made flat. But look at the amazing design and form the reading of Allah (in Arabic). Whoa, unbelievable!

I was also amazed by the minimalist arrangement around this building. The interior of this mosque feels spacious because there is not much furniture.

Even in front of there which is usually for the mosque imam to give a sermon, only a minimalist glass pulpit is placed.

While in the background of the pulpit, a natural brick is placed. This arrangement makes the connection between natural elements even stronger.

This mosque building is also surrounded by gardens. Pools on the right and left sides. When I felt there I imagined being in a cool paradise garden and maybe that was the reason the architect of this mosque placed natural elements around this mosque. To create a spirit of worship to get the reward of heaven later. 😊

The structure and texture of the material create charming portraits on my cellphone that I even have trouble sorting out the results of these photos to publish on Hive.

On the right and left of the mosque building are used for women's and men's toilets. The material uses natural stones with distinctive shapes. So, the structure of the arrangement looks beautiful. Especially, combined with the arrangement of iron pieces on the main building of the mosque.

This mosque building is a contrast in Surakarta City which is generally filled with classic beauty. Moreover, the combination of classic and modern always creates something more interesting. I can't wait for another trip, while I will rest my feet. Until next on my travel stories! 😊

Best Regards,
Anggrek Lestari