Tiban Mosque in Wonogiri Regency, Central Java Province

Most tourists recognize Wonogiri Regency for its natural attractions like beaches and mountains. However, the region also has other interesting vacation spots to visit including the ones related to religious tourism. For instance, there is Tiban Mosque in Baturetno Sub-District. The exact location is in Sendangrejo Village and it is considered the oldest mosque in Wonogiri! What tourists need to do is to head south from the downtown. According to the locals, in fact, Tiban is older than Demak’s Grand Mosque! No wonder, many tourists are interested in visiting the mosque either to learn the history or appreciate the architecture typical of Indonesia.

The Nuance
In terms of nuance, tourists would feel both excited and curious. It is because Tiban Mosque looks so old and a little bit creepy. No wonder, the mosque was built in 1479. Visitors may also see the unique sign of a sea turtle, which symbolizes the Saka number of 1401. Also, the structure is original and it has the shape which is similar to Panggung House. Still, it emits a similar design to Demak Grand Mosque and has the size of about 7.5 x 7.5 meters. For the information, the mosque doesn’t use any iron nails in its construction. Instead, it applies teak pegs!

Exploring Tiban Mosque
The first thing that tourists can do once they arrive at Tiban Mosque is to appreciate the design. The good thing is visitors are allowed to explore the area as long as they do not cause a disturbance there. The most noticeable one is the formation of Soko Guru or pillars, which are called Yoni. They are made of teak and have a distinct size and appearance! The next unique thing is the dome of the mosque. Unlike regular mosques, this one features a unique dome (having the shape of a crown). Even though the dome was made of soil, it remains sturdy and strong!

Once entering the mosque, tourists may see an old teak podium that comes with stunning carving. Most of those ornaments represent the Islamic values, actually. Well, one thing, visitors are allowed to explore the mosque freely indeed. However, they are not allowed to litter or cause problems inside. It is recommended to get in the mosque by the supervision of a tour guide, therefore.

The next thing that tourists can do in Tiban Mosque is to learn the history. It is said the mosque was the part of Walisongo’s efforts in spreading Islam. During the hunting for strongest teak in Donoloyo Forest to build Demak Grand Mosque, they decided to build a small mosque for worshipping in that area. No wonder, Tiban is considered older than Demak Grand Mosque as it was built first.

Nearby Attractions

• Waduk Gajah Mungkur
• Gunung Tumpeng
• Kali Sendang Klampean

How to Get There
For those coming from Semarang City (the capital of Central Java Province), they need to spend about 3 hours and 25 minutes to reach Wonogiri Regency. The distance is 169 km, but the trip becomes faster if tourists take Semarang – Solo Highway. Once they arrive at Wonogiri, they only need to get to Sendangrejo Village at Baturetno Sub-District. This trip may take about 50 minutes, as the distance is 20.3 km. As for the faster trip, they should take Giritontro – Baturetno Street, though.

Where to Stay

• Arjuna Randualas Hotel