History Tour in Banda Aceh

Banda Aceh City is one of the cities in Indonesia that holds much history. Being the most western part of Indonesia, has many unique stories, despite the Tsunami in 2004, the city has risen rapidly, post-tsunami development is growing very fast, many people are amazed and amazed to see the changes experienced by Banda Aceh after the disaster . The city that has the nickname Serambi Mecca has a historical record that deserves to be used as a tourist attraction. This city keeps various historical sites from various times. Starting from the time of the sultanate, Dutch colonial, to become part of Indonesia as a sovereignty. Here are some of them:

Baiturrahman Great Mosque
Baiturrahman High Mosque is the main symbol of the city of Banda Aceh, located south of the river Kreung Aceh. Mosque with 35-meter tower with 7 domes is the most visited by people and tourists outside. The unique architecture of the building makes the mosque's design much exemplified by other mosques in Indonesia all the way to Peninsular Malaysia.

Baiturrahman Mosque was built in the reign of Sultan Iskandar Muda in the period 1607-1636 which is very active in developing Islamic teachings within the kingdom of Aceh. Historically, the mosque was once used as a base and place of defense for Aceh's army against the Dutch colonial government.

In addition, this place is also a silent witness the occurrence of tsunami waves on December 26, 2004 ago. Because, this mosque became a refuge for thousands of refugees who survived.

Kerkof Peucut
Tombstones of various sizes standing neatly are not burial for the victims of the natural disaster of the tsunami, but the graves of Dutch and Indonesian fighters who died during the colonial period.

The name of this cemetery is Kerkoff Peucut which means the church or grave yard. Meanwhile Peutjut is a nickname for the crown prince of Sultan Iskandar Muda who died after being stoned by his father for violating the royal law.

Historical records reveal that Kerkoff's tomb has existed since the Dutch occupation which began attacking Aceh from 1873-1904 after the people of Aceh refused to join the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia).

Every body of Dutch soldiers buried there came from all over Aceh in the war. The dead soldiers were then evacuated to Banda Aceh, and buried on empty land owned by Jews who had settled in
Rencong Land. Now, there are more than 2000 fighters who are buried and become a historical tourist attraction that you must visit during in Aceh.

Meseum Negeri Aceh
Aceh State Museum is a worthy tourist attraction because it keeps the culture of "Tanah Rencong" in the past. The museum is in the form of a traditional Aceh house (Rumoh Aceh) and has a large green courtyard. Located on Jalan Sultan Alaidin Mahmud Syah.

Inside this museum there are ancient items such as ceramics, weaponry and other cultural objects such as traditional clothing, jewelry, calligraphy, household appliance and much more.

Moreover, there is also a large bell called "Cakra Donya Bell", a gift bell of the Chinese Maharaja for the Pasai Kingdom escorted by Admiral Cheng Ho in 1414. This bell is also a proof of the glory of the Acehnese Work in the past.

Taman Putroe Phang
Taman Putroe Phang (princess pahang) or Taman Ghairah is a park built by Sultan Iskandar Muda for his queen. This park is actually a request from the empress to the empress is not lonely when the sultan perform his duties as a leader, because the sultan is very loving princess pahang which is none other than the queen of the emperor of baraka kingdom, then the sultan build Taman Putro phang which until now still stands as icon important ground rencong.

In the palace environment there is also a large park, called ghairah park, this dikaman there is a dome-shaped gate which is called pinto khop, the gate that connects the park putroe phang with palace, Pinto Khop has something unique characteristic that is the door architecture has a vine-patterned ornament and the top is shaped like a crown. There was also gunongan, the queen's place to dry the hair after the bath.

Tsunami
Located on Jalan Iskandar Muda, Kota Banda Aceh. This museum still holds many memories that never escape from the people of Aceh. The ruins of memories stored in photographs, sound recordings, to the structure of the building designed by M. Ridwan Kamil (now the Mayor of Bandung) uncovered the sadness in every step in this museum. Has four floors each containing exhibition space and installation.

First visitors will be given a dramatic atmosphere with a splash of water in the dark alley. The atmosphere will be terrible considering the tsunami tragedy in Aceh past the entrance to the museum. Inside the museum will be presented podiums that display a series of photographs of Banda Aceh shortly after the tsunami tragedy.

The series of photos will move automatically replace some pictures of the atmosphere shortly after the tsunami. From the room there was a narrow path leading to a dimly lit room with a stained-glass ceiling pronounced "Allah". Dramatic atmosphere is increasingly felt because around the walls affixed the names of thousands of victims due to the tsunami. Especially for 4th floor is intended as a place of evacuation of natural disasters for the citizens. During the visit visitors can enjoy all the facilities for free.

Tomb of Sultan Iskandar Muda
For the people of Aceh would have known the Sultan Iskandar Muda? The wise and wise Sultan was a very important figure in the time of the sultanate of Aceh and even he was the greatest sultan in the history of the sultanate of Aceh which he led from 1607 to 1636.

The tomb of Sultan Iskandar Muda can now be found in baperis complex, kelurahan peuniti, baiturrahman district, banda Aceh. To reach the historical tourist sites of the grave of Sultan Iskandar Muda is quite easy, although there is no public transportation or ordinary people of Aceh call it labi labi who pass this way, but visitors can ride labi labi to get closer to this location.

His tomb is very well maintained and clean, there is a guardrail that surrounds the tomb of Sultan Iskandar Muda and plus a roof that has a level three to add the impression of this tomb is very grand. Engraving carvings of calligraphy along the side of the tomb adds an Islamic impression that once prevailed during his leadership.

Outside the tomb fence precisely beside the tomb there is a large shady tree, making the atmosphere around cool even though the weather is hot. Under the tree there is also a cannon that is placed facing the front of the entrance of the grave, adding to the impression of how great Sultan Iskandar Muda is in his leadership.

There are so many historical attractions that can be visited in Banda Aceh that are not mentioned above, such as; Tomb of Shia kuala, Blang Padang, Tomb of King Aceh, Ancient Tomb of Gampong Pande and many others, because Banda Aceh in the 14th century is the location which once was the capital of the sultanate of Aceh Darussalam and then the terrible tsunami disaster in 2004 has left history itself, such as; Ship Floating, Ship above house, mass grave, etc.