These Unique Buildings Exist Only in Yogyakarta and Its Surroundings! There's even a building made from trash. Can you believe it?
Many special things make a city unique, and one of them is its architecture. The city of Yogyakarta, in particular, is well-known for its distinctive architecture, with iconic buildings like the Yogyakarta Palace, Taman Sari Water Castle, and Monjali Park being popular tourist destinations. However, nearby cities like Klaten, Solo, and Magelang also boast unique buildings. So, what makes these buildings unique? Let's find out in the following discussion.
1. Dome Houses, Yogyakarta
You may have heard of the Teletubbies characters and their unique hillside homes. These types of houses are commonly known as Dome Houses. They have a semi-circular shape and resemble igloos found in the North Pole. Well, these unique dome-shaped houses can also be found in Yogyakarta. In fact, the house equipped with 2 doors, 4 windows, and 2 rooms is the first of its kind in Indonesia!
Dome houses were built after an earthquake caused the land in the Sengir Village area of Sumberharjo, Yogyakarta, to sink in 2006. With a diameter of 7 meters and a height of 4.6 meters, these dome houses are constructed from concrete and cement. The government collaborated with the World Association of Non-governmental Organizations (WANGO) and the Domes for the World Foundation (DFTW) to create a new village with dome-shaped houses. The unique structure of these dome houses is earthquake-resistant and has no joints, which are typically weak points in buildings during earthquakes. Impressive, isn't it?
2. Lost World Castle, Yogyakarta
The Lost World Castle resembles the castles of ancient kingdoms. This building is like a replica of a castle constructed from natural stone, and it has several levels, making it look very majestic. It is located on the northern side of Yogyakarta in Petung Village, Kepoharjo, Cangkringan, Sleman. The castle's surroundings include a grassy garden, perfect for socializing.
3. Gothic House, Yogyakarta
You might not be aware that this building is located in the Prawirodirjan area of Gondomanan, Yogyakarta, as it's somewhat hidden within a small alley. At first glance, you might assume it's a church due to its appearance, but it's not a church at all; it's actually a residential house. Its church-like design earned it the nickname "Gothic Church." The architecture follows a European style with thick walls, a spacious balcony, a tower, bells, and a prominent cross symbol at the top of the tower. One of the most striking features is a statue of Jesus with an outstretched hand. Interestingly, this building has been uninhabited for a long time, which is quite unfortunate.
4. Camera House, Magelang
Are you a photography enthusiast? Well, there's a unique house in Magelang shaped like a DSLR camera. This camera-shaped house is located about 1 km from Borobudur Temple Complex. The idea and owner of this unique building is Tanggol Angien Jatikusumo, an artist. The four-story building takes on various forms: the camera's flash serves as the entrance door, the mode and LCD portions become windows, and the camera lens is transformed into a cylindrical multilevel structure providing a view of the village from above. How unique is that? This house has even entered the MURI (Indonesian Record Museum) as the largest camera-shaped house in Indonesia and the world!
5. Chicken Church, Magelang
Standing on a 3000 square meter plot of land, this building was constructed in 1990 by a man named Daniel Alamsjah. Although it's called the "Pigeon Church," it's not a church at all. Instead, it was built as a place of worship for anyone, regardless of their religion. In addition to serving as a place of worship, the building was used for rehabilitating disabled children, drug addicts, and mentally ill individuals. The building consists of six floors in the shape of a pigeon's head, an underground room, and several chambers. If you plan to visit this building, you can also explore Punthuk Setumbu, a famous location not far from the Pigeon Church.
6. Masjid An Nurumi, Klaten
If you're observant, you'll notice a unique building worth visiting when you pass through the Yogyakarta - Solo highway, specifically in the Klaten area. This building closely resembles the architecture of the Kremlin in Russia. Inspired by this, Hj. Umi Nur Salim constructed the mosque. What's unique is that it mimics the Russian architecture style with tall and colorful domes. Built in 2005 and completed in 2007, the mosque was inaugurated by Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X on August 9, 2007, and was named Masjid An Nurumi. Masjid An Nurumi has nine colorful domes: one dome is 26 meters high, while the other eight are 20 meters high.
7. Rempah Karya House, Solo
The material used to build this particular house is truly different from conventional buildings, as it's constructed from recycled wood scraps. Believe it or not, this house is made entirely from trash. The artist and architect, Paulus Mintarga, designed this building with a tropical open-space concept, energy-efficient LED lighting, and a natural airflow design. This office building can be visited in Solo, specifically in the Tegalmulyo area of Colomadu.
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