Lawang Sewu as one of the destinations that you must visit in Semarang, Central Java. This place is an icon of Semarang, because it is located in the middle of this city. Lawang Sewu which has the meaning of thousand doors building is originally the headquarters of a Dutch-owned railway company, it was called NIS - Nedherland Indisce Spoorweg Matscapij, it was the first railroad operation in Indonesia that started the route in Central Java.
The first time I visited this place in 2009, this building looks unkempt, very dull, and it was famous as a "Ghost Hole in The Middle of Town". Some reality shows on TV have shown this place in terms of "The Big Family of Ghosts". It makes people reluctant to visit this beautiful historic building. Traveler who come even more out of curiosity to see the sightings of the ghosts. But some of them are also interested in the beauty of architecture and history of this place.
Then about next 3 years, it looks beginning the activities of renovation in this place. Renovation initiated and funded by PT. KAI as a building voter and closely guarded by the old building conservation team, in order to handle renovation goes well, pay attention to the basic materials used without forcing to use the current material, in order not to damage the old material used.
Last week, I visited Lawang Sewu for the second time. Seeing this place after the renovation is so beautiful, the exterior of the building looks so elegant and when I stand in the corridor, there is no longer shades of grim and scary. I entered through the door behind Lawang Sewu, directly toward the stained glass which is phenomenal, looks very dazzling, sparkling and there is an explanation underneath about the meaning contained in the stained glass, the symbol of Dutch Kingdom and the ancient of Semarang emblem.
In the courtyard of this building, there is steam locomotives crowded by tourists to take pictures. In the central courtyard, there is also a small locomotive replica used for taking pictures of children.
In addition to the renovated A building, the C building has also transformed into a small museum of NIS history. During the renovation, souvenir room and audio room of the past railway development story is very interesting. There is also various miniature, like this part of building and all of trains used in the past. From the whole area of Lawang Sewu, B building remains visible still not touch, if the entire area completed in the renovation, certainly this place will be stunning beauty in the middle of Semarang. Re-visited Lawang Sewu with different faces, gives a much different impression.
Alkmaar signal handle, it looks still very well maintained. This equipment serves to move the signal bar, the signaling system to regulate the train traffic past.
Access to the dungeon. Until now still dark without lights
In addition, in the basement has its own story. In the Japanese colonial era, this room was used as the dungeon and many of the indigenous prisoners who died in this room. Regardless of history, Lawang Sewu has an amazing architecture. Lawang Sewu means a thousand doors. The nickname was born from the public because of the large number of doors and windows. The beauty of the doors and windows is what makes this place look dashing.