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Photo: Prayudi Setiadharma, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
The provincial mosque of West Java. The first 'Great Mosque' (Masjid Agung) of Bandung was constructed in 1812, shortly after the founding of the city. Throughout the 19th century, it was gradually expanded and renovated, and in 1930 the front porch was refurbished with a design by Henri Maclaine Pont, who also designed the ITB campus in North Bandung. However, during the renovation and expansion of 1955, the year of the Bandung Conference, most of the mosque's features from before Indonesian independence were demolished. The latest major renovation took place in 2001-2003, when the main circular dome was built, and the two iconic minarets were added. The minarets were planned to be 99 metres high each, but this would result in restrictions for the airport in Northwest Bandung, so it was reduced to 81 metres. After this renovation, the mosque became the official provincial mosque, and its name was changed from Great Mosque to Grand Mosque. During weekends, one of the minarets is open to visitors. A quick elevator brings visitors to the top floor, which gives a great view across the city.
The Grand Mosque of Bandung, previously known as the Great Mosque of Bandung, is a mosque in Bandung, the a provincial capital of West Java, Indonesia. The mosque received the status of provincial mosque in West Java Province in 2004. It is located on the east side of the alun-alun of Bandung.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
The alun-alun is the large central open lawn square, as most Indonesian cities, towns, and villages have. Bandung's alun-alun is just west of the Kilometre Zero, on the southside of the Jalan Asia Afrika. Bandung's alun-alun has been renovated in 2015 using synthetic grass, and it is a popular place for locals to get together. Hawkers sell many types of snacks and toys for children. There is an underground parking garage below the square. On the northern side (Jl. Asia Africa), most days there'll be some youngsters hanging out dressed up in fancy costumes (cosplay) that are happy for a donation when you take pictures with them.
Museum Konferensi Asia Afrika; Gedung Merdeka
The Merdeka Building was built in 1895, but completely refurbished in 1920 to a design by Dutch architect Charles P. Wolff Schoemaker, as a club house for the Concordia Society of rich colonials. The building was renovated in 1940 by A.F. Aalbers, the architect of the Savoy Homann hotel across the street. The building was renamed Gedung Merdeka ('Independence Building') after Indonesian independence, and was the venue of the 1955 Bandung Conference, the first meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (the Asian-African Conference). Now, the building houses a museum on that conference.
Known as the first department store of Bandung, Warenhuis De Vries (in Dutch) was established in 1895, and the building in (Old) Indies Style was built in 1899. After Indonesian independence, the building remained in use as a shop, but by the 1990s it became unused. In 2010, the building was renovated (including the lettering of "Warenhuis De Vries"), and is now in use by a bank.
Bioscoop Concordia
Cinema building designed by Wolff Schoemaker, built in 1924. Now the building is used as a restaurant, and sometimes as a concert venue.
The Savoy Homann is the true grand old hotel of Bandung. The current building was designed by Dutch architect A.F. Aalbers in Art Deco style, and built in 1939. One of the famous guests of the hotel during the colonial era was Charlie Chaplin. After Indonesian independence, the Savoy Homann hosted the delegations of the 1955 Asian-African conference, which was held across the street in Gedung Merdeka. Some of the guests included Soekarno, Ho Chi Minh, and Tito. It is still one of the most famous hotels of Bandung. In addition to staying in one of its rooms (see the Sleep section below), you can also visit the building to admire its Art Deco architecture and the classic interior decoration.
Titik Kilometer Nol
In 1808, the Great Post Road across Java was built (the section in Bandung's city centre is now called Jalan Asia Afrika). It is said that when Governor-General H.W. Daendels of the Dutch East Indies travelled along the route, he said at the place where the road crosses the Cikapundung river: "Make sure that a city has been built here, when I return." At that location, a 'Kilometre Zero' milestone was placed, and until today this is used as the zero-point of Bandung and the wider region. Apart from the milestone, there is a commemorative plaque.