Great Mosque, Sumenep, Sumenep

The Great Mosque of Sumenep is an 18th-century mosque in Sumenep, Madura. Standing on the alun-alun of Sumenep, it is the largest mosque in Madura Island and a noted landmark of Madura.HistoryPreviously known as the Panembahan Somala Jami Mosque after the 31st adipati of Sumenep who established the mosque, construction of the mosque started in 1779 and was completed in 1787. The mosque was built as part of the kraton complex of Sumenep.The Great Mosque of Sumenep is the second mosque of the new kraton complex, replacing the earlier mosque masjid laju, whose construction was initiated by Kanjeng R. Tumenggung Ario Anggadipa, 21st ruler of Sumenep, and was completed in 1757.ArchitectureThe architect of the mosque is Lauw Pia Ngo, one of the early generation of Chinese people who took residence in Madura. He also designed the Sumenep kraton, which was completed earlier in 1764.The overall impression of the mosque is of eclectic influence, a mixture of Chinese, local Javanese, and western style; typical of the cities on the north of Java. The Great Mosque of Sumenep features a three-tiered roof, a typical style in the mosque architecture of Indonesia. This main roof is topped with a kemuncak decoration, featuring three spheres. This main roof is surrounded by six sets of smaller two-tiered roofs to the south, east, and north of the main prayer hall. A white brick wall enclosed the interior space of the mosque. The tall windows and main door, reminiscent of Dutch colonial architecture style, are painted in bold color instead, a characteristic Chinese style.The mosque complex is surrounded by iron fence, although in the past this was massive wall instead, completely separating the enclosed inner space of the mosque complex with the outside world. To the southeast and northeast of the perimeter are two small pavilions with rounded cupola, flanking the eastern perimeter of the mosque complex. These small pavilions were used as prisons.