Sam Poo Kong
| Sam Poo Kong | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Alternative names | Gedung Batu Temple |
| General information | |
| Type | Chinese temple |
| Architectural style | Mix of traditional Chinese and Javanese |
| Town or city | Semarang |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Coordinates | 6°59′47″S 110°23′53″E / 6.9963°S 110.3980°ECoordinates: 6°59′47″S 110°23′53″E / 6.9963°S 110.3980°E |
| Groundbreaking | c. 1400 – 1416 |
| Renovated | Numerous |
| Owner | Sam Poo Kong Foundation |
Sam Poo Kong (Chinese: 三保洞; pinyin: Sānbǎo Dòng), also known as Gedung Batu Temple, is the oldest Chinese temple in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia. Originally established by the Chinese Muslim explorer Zheng He (also known as Sanbao), it is now shared by Indonesians of multiple religious denominations, including Muslims and Buddhists, and ethnicities, including Chinese and Javanese.
The foundations of Sam Poo Kong were set when Chinese Muslim explorer Admiral Zheng He arrived in the western part of what is now Semarang via the Garang River; the year is disputed, with suggestions ranging from 1400 to 1416. After disembarking from his ships, Zheng found a cave in a rocky hillside and used it for prayer. He established a small temple before leaving Java, but having grown fond of the area his deputy Wang Jing and several crewmen remained behind. A statuette of Zheng was installed in the cave.
The original temple was reportedly destroyed in 1704, collapsing under a landslide. In October 1724 the temple was completely renovated. A new cave was also made, located next to the old one.
In the middle of the 1800s Sam Poo Kong was owned by a Mr. Johanes, a landlord of Jewish descent, who charged devotees for the right to pray at the temple. Unable to pay individual fees, the Chinese community spent 2000 gulden yearly to keep the temple open; this was later reduced to 500 gulden after worshipers complained of the expense. As this was still a heavy burden, devotees abandoned Sam Poo Kong and found a statue of Zheng He to bring to Tay Kak Sie temple, 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) away, where they could pray freely.
In 1879, Oei Tjie Sing, a prominent local businessman, bought the Sam Poo Kong complex and made its use free of charge; in response, local Chinese celebrated by holding a carnival and began returning to Sam Poo Kong. The temple's ownership was transferred to the recently founded Sam Poo Kong foundation in 1924.
...
Wikipedia