Did you know that Masjid Al Wustho Mangkunegaran started as just a prayer spot? It lacked a minaret and other fancy features. Now look at it. Let’s dive into the story of this historic mosque.
Masjid Al Wustho Mangkunegaran stands near Mangkunegaran Palace in Surakarta. It is one of Surakarta’s oldest mosques. The mosque became a state mosque for the Mangkunegaran Palace.
Construction began in 1878. It wrapped up in 1918. Thomas Karsten renovated parts of the building. Royal courtiers from Mangkunegaran Palace took care of its upkeep.
In 1949, Imam Rosidi gave it the name Al-Wustho. Al-Wustho means average. The name refers to the mosque’s size. It is not as big as Surakarta’s Great Mosque. It is also not as small as the Kepatihan Mosque.
Masjid Al Wustho Mangkunegaran is about 60 meters from Mangkunegaran Palace. The mosque has typical Javanese architecture. Like other Javanese mosques it features a tajug roof. This pyramid-style roof is for religious buildings. The roof has three tiers. A mustaka finial tops it. Four saka guru posts and twelve saka rawa posts support the roof. The saka guru posts have Arabic calligraphy at their bases.
The mosque includes a roofed front porch or serambi. This is a main feature of Javanese mosques. The serambi holds a large bedug called Kanjeng Kyai Danaswara. South of the main hall is a covered porch. This pawestren serves as a prayer hall for women.
Like the Great Mosque of Surakarta, the front porch has a markis. This portal is decorated with Arabic calligraphy. It resembles the Indonesian paduraksa. Paduraksa marks the holiest site.
Masjid Al Wustho Mangkunegaran features an octagonal minaret. It stands 25 meters tall. The minaret was built in 1926.
The mosque complex includes the maligen. Maligen means seat of throne in Javanese. This building hosts circumcision rituals. Mangkunegara V built it for the royal family’s circumcisions. In the early 20th century Mangkunegara VII allowed the public to use it too. The Muhammadiyah performed the circumcisions.
Once known simply as Masjid Mangkunegaran, its name changed in 1949. Raden Tumenggung K.H. Imam Rosidi chose the new name. The mosque’s location was originally near Pasar Legi. Later it moved west of the pura for better access.
K.G.P.A.A. Mangkoenagoro VII modernized Masjid Mangkunegaran. He hired Dutch architect Herman Thomas Karsten. Karsten mixed Javanese Arab and European styles. The design includes a menara gapura stained glass and a gazebo. The gazebo is known as Bangsal Maligin.
Masjid Al Wustho remains a place of worship. It hosts religious events. These events include Takbiran Mangkunegaran. It also hosts afternoon studies and animal sacrifices.
The mosque blends Javanese and European architecture. Mangkunegara I founded it around 1757 in Kauman Pasar Legi. Mangkunegara IV moved it to its current site. This made prayer easier for palace staff.
Masjid Al Wustho became a cultural heritage site in 2015. In 2021 it became a child-friendly place of worship. The goal is to make children comfortable in mosques.
So next time you pass by remember its blend of history faith and art. Masjid Al Wustho Mangkunegaran stands as a testament to time.