1. The History

The construction of Palembang Grand Mosque, according to history, needed ten years, from Monday, Jumadil Akhir 1, 1151 (1738 C.E) to Monday, Jumadil Awal 28, 1161 (1748 C.E). The mosque was established by Sultan Susuhunan Abdurrahman.

During the period of the Dutch colonialism, the Mosque was one of people centers to oppose the colonialist. The mosque therefore became a main target of attack of the colonialist. Historically, the mosque‘s minaret had been ruined for six times by colonialist‘s destructive weapons, and the people rapidly rebuilt it as a symbol of defense.

2. The Location

The Palembang Grand Mosque lays in Palembang city, Indonesia.

3. The Measure

The mosque measures 1.080 square meters in total. Initially, the mosque was able to accommodate only 1800 worshippers, and then enlarged to accommodate 2300 worshippers. Due to Muslim population in the city, the mosque was eventually enlarged to be capable of accommodating 9000 worshippers. However, the mosque and its yard can accommodate 15.000 worshippers.

4. The Architecture

The mosque appears with beautiful design as the result of mixing western and eastern architectures. The difference is that the Palembang Grand Mosque was built far from Palace, while mosques in Java, for example, were established close to palaces.

The square plan of the main building has three tiered roof; the highest roof is designed as pyramid with a pinnacle like sepal surmounting the roof. Such design is actually modeled to be similar to that of Javanese houses, called joglo.

The middle tiered roof is supported by four columns called, in Palembang term, tiang empat, while in Javanese term it is called soko guru (timber master columns). The lowest parts of the middle roof‘s eaves are curved to upper direction resemble the architecture of pagoda or other Chinese traditional buildings.

The influence of Greek-Doric classical style of architecture is clearly seen at the mosque‘s verandah that resembles the design of front side of the ancient temples in Greek.

A triangular tympanum is supported by five front columns which are spectacularly decorated with Arabic calligraphy. The five cylinder columns designed with vertical style are placed close to the stair. The mosque is surrounded by Doric designed columns with a window and wall at every two columns.

This mosque is shaped symmetrically with Greek architecture of lateral gates at the left and right sides.

Additionally, its octahedral minaret has three stages and three floors. Each stage, if it is seen from outside, is appeared to be bordered by horizontal molding and balustrade circling the body of Minaret. Octahedral form is repeated in the minaret‘s pyramidal roof that is supported by short columns to separate it from the wall. A horizontal molding is also placed at the top of the wall.

5. The Planning

The initiator of the mosque construction was Sultan Susuhunan Abdurrahman.

6. The Renovation

As mentioned before that the mosque had ever been renovated for several times. At the first establishment, the mosque could merely accommodate 1800 worshippers. In 1821 C.E, it needed enlarging to be capable of accommodating 2300 worshippers. In the meantime, the renovation needed 12 square meters in width and 18 square meters in length. The mosque after the first renovation measured 2.268 square meters in total.

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