The infrastructure and old buildings in Semarangs old town are being repaired with the assistance of the Central Java provincial administration and the central government, acting Semarang Mayor Tavip Supriyanto stated here recently.
The Old Town of Semarang Revitalization Project was officially launched in front of the Johar Post office Headquarters on New Years Eve 2016.
Several businessmen from Semarang and Jakarta will also help in the old towns restoration project as they care for the nations heritage.
The central government has allocated funds for infrastructure repairs, including Rp68 billion for Merak road and Rp30 billion for Mpu Tantular road.
"We hope to make Semarangs old town a worlds heritage and not just Semarang citys pride. Therefore, we have established cooperation with the provincial and central governments to realize this project," he noted.
Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo remarked that the old city is part of the worlds heritage, and therefore, it should be repaired and preserved.
The renovation will be carried out by involving the old buildings owners, including state enterprises that own some of the buildings, according to the governor.
Semarang city, one of the five major cities in the nation, is located along the north coast of Java Sea.
The old records of the city date back to the 15th-18th century A.D., and Semarang has captivating ancient and colonial monuments that still stand until now.
The citys old town is located close to its ocean harbor where tourists can still find an interesting collection of unusual buildings dating back to the Dutch colonial era and even further back to the time of the Dutch East Indies Company.
The city boasts several Chinese temples, including Sam Po Kong (Kedung Batu), built in honor of the Chinese Great Admiral Zheng He who visited the area in 1405, and the Tay Kak Sie Temple.
The Blenduk Church, a 1753 Protestant church built by the Dutch, is located in the old town called "Oudstad."
Tugu Muda, or the Youth Monument, is dedicated to the heroes of Indonesias independence struggle and is located in front of Lawang Sewu Building at the end of Pemuda Street, one of the citys major shopping streets.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
