The
end of December 2022 was a year-end trip for Zauji and me. The
destination we chose was the city of Palembang, the city of Pempek.
Before leaving, it was Zauji's job to start googling the nearest
Palembang tour.
We
decided to go by plane on December 25 to avoid skyrocketing ticket
prices. We spent 4 days doing work plus sightseeing at the end of the
year.
The first day we both tried the LRT, or Light Railway Transportation.
It turns out that it's also fun to enjoy the city of Palembang from
the LRT window with only a ticket for Rp. 5000. The second day
we visited the Songket Center on Jalan Ki Gede Ingsuro and tried Pempek Cek Ya on Jalan Seduduk Putih.
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| Museum of Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin Palembang |
On the third day, we spent time ngabolang at the nearest Palembang tour, which we can
take by LRT or online taxis. Starting from enjoying the breeze at the
Musi River bank plaza and the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Museum.
Kuto Besak Fort
Actually,
15 years ago, I never set foot on Sriwijaya Earth. However, due to time
constraints, we only had dinner on the banks of the Musi River, riding a
ketek-ketek, or small boat, across the Musi River in the middle of the
night.
I
used to be very curious about Fort Kuto Besak, which is also on the
banks of the Musi River, but because it was getting late, of course we
couldn't see clearly. This time I invited Zauji to take a short break
after we finished visiting the museum.
Kuto
Besak Fort is a very iconic fort because it is the only fort built by
the Indonesian nation precisely during the reign of Sultan Mahmud
Badaruddin I in 1780 AD, which was continued by Sultan Mahmud Bahaudin.
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| Palembang's Kuto Besak Fort |
The
fort, which was built over 17 years, was surrounded by a wall 9.14 m
high and 2.13 m thick with four bastions or bends, at each end and was
used as the center of government as well as the residence of the ruler
of the Palembang Sultanate. It is not surprising that inside the fort
there is a large hall, the former palace (residence of the queen and
princess), a living room, and others.
Now
this rectangular fort is used as an office space for the Sriwijaya
Regional Military Command (Kodam) so that visitors can no longer enter
it.
Palembang Grand Mosque
This mosque, the pride of Palembang City, is located not far from the Ampera Bridge and the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Museum. Precisely opposite the
People's Struggle Monument (Monpera). From the museum, Menong's
friends can cut through the rows of culinary vendors and then cross
Jalan Merdeka. Don't forget to look right and left, because the traffic is very heavy on this one-way lane.
This Grand Mosque was founded during the reign of Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin I. Although designed by a European architect,
the mosque has a distinctive Indonesian pattern that can be seen from
the main building's three-tiered structure with a pyramid-shaped top.
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| Palembang Grand Mosque |
The
condition of the mosque is still kept clean. Unfortunately, the men's
and women's bathroom areas are at the same entrance, so it feels awkward
when doing ablution. While waiting for Zauji, I sat on the terrace of
the mosque, which was filled with other diners who were unpacking their
food. I myself left my sandals in special care.
After
the prayer, I 'forced' Zauji to buy pempek, which is sold in the yard of
the mosque. It seems that traders are indeed allowed to sell in the
courtyard of the mosque.
Because the day of return was still long and we were returning by
road, Zauji and I agreed not to buy Pempek souvenirs because they
wouldn't last long. To treat our curiosity, we bought pempek for us to
eat at the hotel. Pempek is Rp. 3000; it tastes pretty good too!
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| Snakehead Fish Pempek Traders |
Due
to hungry stomachs, we stopped at the Padang restaurant, which is
located across from the mosque. It seems that there are not many
choices because there are almost no food vendors because the area around
is more dominated by printing services.
Bayt Al Quran Al Akbar
After lunch, we continued sightseeing to Bayt Al Quran Akbar using an online taxi for Rp. 35,000. Located in the Al Ihsaniyah Islamic Boarding School area, Jalan Moh Amin,
Gandus. Our destination is 10 km away, almost on the outskirts of
Palembang City.
This
largest Al-Quran religious tourism destination in the world is one of
the closest Palembang tours, which is a favorite for tourists. When we
arrived, there were already many visitors present. When entering the Al
Quran Al Akbar area, visitors are required to open and leave their
footwear in the space provided.
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| Entrance Ticket to Bayt Al-Quran Palembang |
We
ourselves were astonished by the festive atmosphere; there were lots of
vendor stalls selling various food, drinks, and souvenirs. Tickets per
adult are priced at Rp. 20,000. Bait Al Quran Al Akbar is on the 2nd floor. There are officers who help us
to give explanations to the group of visitors. He also allowed us to
record a video during the explanation.
This
Bait Al Quran Al Akbar was founded by Ustadz Syofwatillah Mohzaib, a
lover of Palembang calligraphy and carving, in 2002. The 30 chapters of
Al Quran were made from 2002 to 2009. A total of 315 pieces of trembesi
wood, or 40 m³ of wood, produce 630 plates, with each measuring 177 cm x 140 cm x 2.5 cm and an average weight of 50 kg.
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| Bayt Al-Quran Palembang |
It's
not wrong if trembesi wood is chosen as the main material because it is
weather-resistant, anti-moss, and anti-termite. This wood is generally
used as a material for stilt houses or furniture such as cabinets,
tables, and others.
Inaugurated
by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on January 30, 2012, and witnessed by 51
members of parliament of Islamic countries around the world, it received
an award from MURI as the largest Al Quran in the world in the category of Al Quran Carved on Wood or Palembang Carving and has been read by Qori
and Qoriah and Hafidz and Hafidzah from more than 40 countries in
2017. Bait Al Quran Akbar also received the Most Halal Religious Tourism Award in Indonesia from the Ministry of Tourism in 2018.
These
verses of the Koran were engraved directly with a standardized typeface
and corrected by the scholars to prevent mistakes. Its production
began with QS Al Fatihah in 2001. Now all 30 chapters of Menong's friends can see directly to the roof of the building.
The wood is made
front and back, which can be turned over like a window, with typical
Palembang srikaya ornaments, fern leaves, sunflowers, or lotus flowers in
golden color, which means prosperity or glory, and a red heart, which means courage.
We also toured the building, which consists of 3 floors and was originally the private residence of Ustadz Syofwatillah.
The strains of the Koran echoed throughout the room, accompanying us.
Along the hall leading to the plaza in the middle of the building, it
seems that the pesantren empowers small and medium enterprises to be
allowed to sell. Various clothes, toys, religious paraphernalia, and
more.
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| Alley Bayt Al-Quran Palembang |
Alhamdulillah, we had the opportunity to visit Bait Al Quran Al Akbar. We were amazed by the beauty of the carvings. Menong's friends who are not in Hadast can read every verse that is written.
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| Al-Quran Al-Akbar |
It
was a great adventure for us while exploring Palembang's various
tourist destinations that are closest and easiest to reach. We didn't
bring many souvenirs, but Palembang brought a lot of sweet memories, which
of course won't be easily forgotten. Next, our exciting experience
returning to Bandung by road!
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