The aged wooden planks beneath your feet whisper tales of centuries past. This is Langgar Tinggi. A mosque older than many Jakarta buildings. It stands proudly in Pekojan. A testament to Jakarta’s rich history.
Langgar Tinggi’s story begins not as a grand mosque but as a small langgar. A simple prayer place built atop a guesthouse in 1829. Or was it 1833? Historians debate the exact date. A Yemeni merchant Abu Bakar Shihab founded this guesthouse. The langgar was situated above it. This was along the bustling banks of the Kali Angke River. It was a significant trade route.
The building wasn’t always a mosque. It started humbly. Then in 1833 Sheikh Sa’id Na’um renovated it significantly. This wealthy merchant from Palembang became the Kapitan Arab of Pekojan. He oversaw the land. This land was a waqf. A donation from Syarifah Mas’ad Barik Ba’alwi. It included the current mosque site and a cemetery in Tanah Abang.
The Langgar Tinggi’s architecture is a fascinating blend. It reflects the diverse cultures of Jakarta. You can see Tuscan Neoclassical pillars. These are a nod to European style. Chinese influences appear in the beam supports. The basic layout is distinctly Javanese. Small obelisk-like decorations on the roof hint at Moorish heritage. This blend showcases the city’s vibrant past.
The mosque’s interior is equally captivating. The thick wooden floor creaks underfoot. A mihrab or prayer niche points towards Mecca. The wooden pulpit is a treasure. It dates back to 1859. It’s a gift from Palembang. A gift to honor Sa’id Na’um’s contributions.
Time has changed Langgar Tinggi. The guesthouse below is no longer in use. Now it houses the mosque’s administrators and shops. The Kali Angke River has silted. The river gate to the mosque is closed. The river is now polluted. But Langgar Tinggi endures. It’s a Jakarta landmark.
The DKI Jakarta Government wisely designated Langgar Tinggi a cultural heritage site. It’s a living museum of Jakarta’s past. It demonstrates its remarkable cultural fusion. Langgar Tinggi continues to serve its community. It’s a place of prayer and community life. Step inside. Feel the weight of history. Langgar Tinggi’s story is Jakarta’s story.