Menara Kudus Mosque | |
---|---|
Masjid Menara Kudus | |
![]() | |
Religion | |
Affiliation | Sunni Islam |
Location | |
Location | Kudus, Central Java, Indonesia |
Geographic coordinates | 6°48′14″S110°49′56″E / 6.80389°S 110.83222°E |
Architecture | |
Type | Mosque |
Date established | 1549 |
The Menara Kudus Mosque (Indonesian : Masjid Menara Kudus) or Al-Aqsha Mosque is located in Kudus in the Indonesian province of Central Java. Dating from 1549, it is one of the oldest mosques in Indonesia, built at the time of Islam's spread through Java. [1] The mosque preserves the tomb of Sunan Kudus, one of the nine Islamic saints of Java (the Wali Sanga ), and is a popular pilgrimage point. [2]
It preserves pre-Islamic architectural forms such as old Javanese split doorways, ancient Hindu-Buddhist-influenced Majapahit-style red brickwork, and a three-tired pyramidal roof. [2] The most unusual feature is the brick minaret on which a pavilion shelters a large skin drum ( bedug ), which is used to summon the faithful to prayer instead of the more common muezzin. Whereas a bedug normally hangs under the eaves of a mosque veranda, in the Kudus Mosque it sits in a tower like a Balinese Hindu temple kul-kul or signal drum used to warn of an impending attack, fire, or communal event. No other mosque in Java is known to have a drum tower of this type. [3]
In front of the minaret and around the compound are walls and gateways in the old candi bentar (split gate) and kori agung (main gate) styles. Inside are two gateways—a smaller, inner gate with relief panels on either side similar to those found in Mantingan, and an outer gate that is reminiscent of the 14th-century Bajang Ratu gate at Trowulan. Other pre-Islamic touches include 8 kala -head water spouts in the ablution area and Ming porcelain plates set in the walls. [3]
The pre-Islamic elements suggest the complex has incorporated a pre-existing Hindu-Javanese structure. The mosque has been rebuilt several times removing evidence of what the original structure looked like. The Majapahit style gates, walls, and minaret that appear so incongruous today may have blended more harmoniously with the main structure (which probably had a meru roof supported by large pillars, as in Cirebon and Demak). [3] The peaked roof is a 1920s renovation with terracotta tiles replacing wooden tiles, with glass windows inserted between the roof tiers. The roof is topped with a mastaka crown roof element. [2] An inscription over the mihrab says the mosque was founded by Ja'far Shodiq in AH 956 (AD 1549). He is believed to be the venerated Sunan Kudus, one of the nine Islamic saints of Java ( Wali Sanga ) who lies buried in an elaborately carved mausoleum behind the mosque. [3] [4] The complex includes a Mogul-style mosque with a silvery onion dome and concrete pillars. [3]
Kudus is a regency in Central Java province in Indonesia. Its capital is the town of Kudus. It covers 425.15 km2 and is thus the smallest regency on Java Island in area, and it had a population of 777,437 at the 2010 Census and 849,184 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 874,632, comprising 436,247 males and 438,385 females. It is located northeast of Semarang, the capital of Central Java.
Demak Great Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Indonesia, located in the center town of Demak, Central Java, Indonesia. The mosque is believed to have been built by the Wali Songo with the most prominent figure, Sunan Kalijaga, during the first Demak Sultanate ruler, Raden Patah, during the 15th century.
The Wali Songo are revered saints of Islam in Indonesia, especially on the island of Java, because of their historic role in the spread of Islam in Indonesia. The word wali is Arabic for "trusted one" or "friend of God", while the word sanga is Javanese for the number nine.
Sunan Kalijaga was one of the "nine saints" of Javanese Islam. The "Kalijaga" title was derived from an orchard known as "Kalijaga" in Cirebon. Other accounts suggest that the name derives from his hobby of submerging himself in Kali. Others note that the name Kalijaga derived its nature from the Arabic notion of qadli dzaqa which means "holy leader" in the sultanate.
Sunan Kudus, founder of Kudus, is one of the Wali Sanga of Java, Indonesia.
Sunan Giri, and Muhammad Ainul Yakin are considered the Wali Sanga of Indonesia.
The architecture of Indonesia reflects the diversity of cultural, historical, and geographic influences that have shaped Indonesia as a whole. Invaders, colonizers, missionaries, merchants, and traders brought cultural changes that had a profound effect on building styles and techniques.
The Demak Sultanate was a Javanese Muslim state located on Java's north coast in Indonesia, at the site of the present-day city of Demak. A port fief to the Hindu-Buddhist Majapahit kingdom thought to have been founded in the last quarter of the 15th century, it was influenced by Islam brought by Muslim traders from China, Gujarat, Arabia and also Islamic kingdoms in the region, such as Samudra Pasai, Malacca and Bani (Muslim) Champa. The sultanate was the first Muslim state in Java, and once dominated most of the northern coast of Java and southern Sumatra.
Javanese culture is the culture of the Javanese people. Javanese culture is centered in the provinces of Central Java, Yogyakarta and East Java in Indonesia. Due to various migrations, it can also be found in other parts of the world, such as Suriname, the broader Indonesian archipelago region, Cape Malay, Malaysia, Singapore, Netherlands and other countries. The migrants bring with them various aspects of Javanese cultures such as Gamelan music, traditional dances and art of Wayang kulit shadow play.
Sunan Ampel was one of the Javanese nine revered saints Wali Songo, credited for the spread of Islam in Java. According to local history around Demak the mosque of Demak Masjid Agung Demak was built by Sunan Ampel in 1479 CE, but other sources credited the construction of the mosque to Sunan Kalijaga.
Sunan Sitijenar is, according to the Babad Tanah Jawi manuscripts, one of the Wali Sanga to whom Indonesian legend attributes the propagation of Islam among the Javanese, Indonesia's largest ethnic group.
Sunan Giri Mosque is located near Gresik, about 45 kilometres from Surabaya, Indonesia. Its pavilion shelters the tomb of Sunan Giri, one of the nine Muslim saints of Java, and like the tombs of the other wali sanga, it is a significant and highly auspicious pilgrimage point. This site is often referred to as Giri Kedaton.
The Great Mosque of Central Java is a mosque in the city of Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia.
Javanisation or Javanization is the process in which Javanese culture dominates, assimilates, or influences other cultures in general. The term "Javanise" means "to make or to become Javanese in form, idiom, style, or character". This domination could take place in various aspects; such as cultural, language, politics and social.
The Great Mosque of Surakarta is an 18th-century Javanese mosque in Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia. It is the royal mosque of the Surakarta Sunanate.
The bale kulkul or bale kul-kul is a Balinese pavilion where a slit-log drum is placed. It is essentially a drum tower or a watch tower. A bale kulkul can has a civic function, such as those used in villages as a mean of communication; or for religious function, an integral part of Balinese temple architecture.
Candi bentar, or split gateway, is a classical Javanese and Balinese gateway entrance commonly found at the entrance of religious compounds, palaces, or cemeteries in Indonesia. It is a candi-like structure split perfectly in two to create a passage in the center for people to walk through. In contrast to the very ornate shape and decoration of the main faces, the sides of the passage are left completely plain. The passage is usually elevated with a flight of stairs to reach it. A candi bentar is commonly found in Java, Bali, and Lombok.
Paduraksa, also known as kori is a type of gateway covered with towering roofs that can be found in the island of Java and Bali, Indonesia. This architectural feature is commonly found in buildings from the classical Hindu-Buddhist period of Indonesia. Paduraksa marks the threshold into the most sacred space within a religious compound, a cemetery, or a palace. In Balinese architecture, an elaborately decorated towering paduraksa is often built as the temple's most imposing structure.
The Red Mosque of Panjunan is a Javanese mosque located in the village of Panjunan, Cirebon Regency, West Java, Indonesia. This 15th-century mosque with its Hindu architecture typical of Java is one of the oldest mosque in Indonesia.
Mosque architecture in Indonesia refers to the architectural traditions of mosques built in the archipelago of Indonesia. Initial forms of the mosque, for example, were predominantly built in the vernacular Indonesian architectural style mixed with Hindu, Buddhist or Chinese architectural elements, and notably didn't equip orthodox form of Islamic architectural elements such as dome and minaret. Vernacular architectural style varies depending on the island and region.