Surabaya

Kota Lama Surabaya (Surabaya Old Town)

European area, is a cultural heritage area of Surabaya covering Kalimas Barat St., Cendrawasih St., Merak St., Krembangan Timur St., Rajawali St., Garuda St., Kalisosok St., Jembatan Merah St., Branjangan St., and Veteran St., which is located at the northern part of Surabaya.

The cluster of cultural heritage buildings in the area symbolizes the historical remarks of Surabaya's evolution from the 16th to 20th centuries. It preserves stories about exploration, conquest, and trade, combined with the legendary struggle of the Surabaya people or arek-arek Suroboyo.

Iconic SB 723 Sedan

This is a replica of a sedan with the license plate SB 723, a vehicle that retrieved Brigadier Aubertin Walter Sothern (A.W.S) Mallaby on Tuesday, October 30th, 1945, and stopped forever in front of the International Building. The events in the sedan and its surroundings on that day were recorded as one of the most significant moments in the Indonesian Revolutionary War of Independence in Surabaya on November 10th, 1945.

14 Century: Surabaya Naming Through Time

The word Surabaya was first mentioned in the Canggu Inscription of 1358. Explained that Surabaya is a riverside village. The word Surabaya comes from Old Javanese which means "Dare to Fight Danger". Meanwhile, Shark and Crocodile are visuals from popular folklore that only emerged in the 19th century.

There are diverse ways to spell "Surabaya". Some of them are Curabhaya, Sourabaya, Soerabaja, Soerabaia, and Surabaja.

16 Century: Pate Bubat

A Portuguese writer, Tome Pires (in 1511) recorded that Surabaya was ruled by a king called Pate Bubat (Patih Bubat). He was powerful and honored, ruling over a vast area and continuously expanding his territory.

Pate Bubat led around 6,000 - 7,000 soldiers to guard his kingdom and expand his territory. It was located along the riverside from the north coast to the south. Behind the residential area there were plantations and empty lands.

17 Century: Surabaya was defeated by Mataram

The independent Kingdom of Surabaya was attacked by the Mataram Kingdom in 1614. Yet Mataram failed. The war between Surabaya and Mataram occurred again in 1616 and 1620. Still Mataram failed.

When Mataram invaded Surabaya in 1625, this kingdom was successful conquered Surabaya.

18 Century: Surabaya was handed over to the VOC

In 1743, King of Mataram Pakubuwono II officially handed over Surabaya to the Governor-General of VOC, Gustaf Willem Baron van Imhoff, in return for VOC assistance to Mataram to catch Trunojoyo (Madurese nobles who fought Mataram due its arbitrariness).

Since then, Kota Lama Surabaya was completely controlled by the VOC and became the center of the Dutch settlement in Surabaya.

19 Century: Major Trading City

Following the bankruptcy of the VOC in 1799, Surabaya colony was taken over by Dutch Kingdom. The area of Kota Lama Surabaya continued to develop, not only in the field of trade but also in defense.

A heavy weapons factory was built, as well as the plantation industry has offices here. Trading companies established, also financial industry and insurance office complete it. The city's infrastructure was so advanced.

20 Century: Cities and Struggle

At the beginning of the 20th century, Surabaya became the busiest city in colony country. The population is greater than the population of Batavia (Jakarta) with the most money turnover. These things due to successful industrialization and trade of plantation products.

As an impact, inequality arose among workers. In this situation, the first Resistencia organization was born from Surabaya (Sjarekat Islam).

1910s, The City Expanded to the South

In the early 20th century, this area was getting dense. So the city center began expanding to the south. Government office at the end of Jembatan Merah Bridge was demolished. A new building was built in Pasar Besar and Surabaya City Hall was built in Ketabang.

New housing was built in the area of Simpang, Tegalsari, Darmo, Kupang, and Gubeng. While, industrial complex was moved to Ngagel area.

1945, Independence Revolution

This place is a silent witness to the «Battle of Surabaya». The leader of the British army, Brigadier Mallaby, was killed on 30 October 1945. It was triggering Battle of Surabaya on 10 November 1945.

The Battle of Surabaya is why «Indonesia's National Heroes Day» is commemorated every 10th of November. Thereupon, Surabaya also named as a «City of Heroes».

Surabaya today

Kota Lama Surabaya is more than just an ancient area. This area records history of the birth of the city. From a small kingdom to a giant business city. A gathering of many races and ethnicities, and also a witness of a battle.

Ultimately, Kota Lama Surabaya becomes the epicenter of cultural heritage that shapes and is shaped by a collage of nationalities, cultures, and heroism. It becomes a living museum of the entire journey of Surabaya City to the present day.