Religious Tourism at Sunan Ampel Mosque Complex in Surabaya

On Thursday (23/3) at 15:50, I departed from Pasar Senen Station in Jakarta to Surabaya by Gumarang train. I booked an Executive class ticket with a slightly expensive fare. The journey to Pasar Turi Station in Surabaya took about 10 hours, but I enjoyed the beautiful scenery along the way.

Arriving at Pasar Turi Station on Friday (24/3) at 02:45 in the morning, I decided to relax for a moment around the station. I felt hungry and chose to find food for Sahur. Finally, I found a 24-hour bakery near the station and ordered two sandwiches to eat: tuna and beef.

After having Sahur, I searched for a motorcycle taxi to book a hotel in Surabaya. I happened to meet an ojek driver outside the station. After bargaining with several ojek drivers, I was finally taken to a hotel near Pasar Besar Surabaya.

After completing all these tasks, I finally rested comfortably at Pasar Besar Surabaya Hotel and was ready to explore the city of Surabaya the next day. That night, I slept soundly and woke up at 15:45, missing the first Friday of Ramadan.

After breaking the fast, I ordered a motorcycle taxi online. My destination was the Tugu Pahlawan Museum. However, when I arrived there, the museum was closed, and it was drizzling at that time. Fortunately, a guard allowed me to enter the museum complex. He asked me to come back the next day if I wanted to enter the underground museum.

The guard, Firdaus, a native of Surabaya, then offered me to enjoy the night atmosphere in the city of heroes. He said he had finished his duty and was preparing to go home. I agreed, and he took me around the Sunan Ampel Mosque Complex.

The Sunan Ampel Mosque Complex in Surabaya is one of the famous religious tourist destinations in Surabaya, East Java. The mosque, located on Jalan Ampel, Semampir District, is a spiritual tourist destination that is visited by many people who want to experience the beauty of Islamic history in Surabaya.

History of Sunan Ampel Mosque in Surabaya
Sunan Ampel Mosque is the oldest mosque in Surabaya, built in the 15th century. This mosque was the resting place of Sunan Ampel, one of the nine Wali Sanga who brought Islam to East Java. Sunan Ampel was a scholar and Sufi known as a leader and preacher who successfully strengthened Islam in Surabaya.

Initially, Sunan Ampel Mosque was built by Sunan Ampel in 1421 AD on the bank of the Kalimas River. However, this mosque was damaged due to Dutch attacks in 1625 and 1743. In 1971, the mosque was renovated and expanded by adding several new buildings.

The Sunan Ampel Mosque in Surabaya has a unique architecture that blends Javanese and Arab styles. The front of the mosque features a gate adorned with typical Javanese ornaments such as wayang (shadow puppetry figures), buffalo horns, and bamboo shoots. Inside the mosque, there is a beautifully crafted mihrab (niche in the wall of a mosque) and pulpit made of teak wood.

In addition to the mosque, the Sunan Ampel complex in Surabaya also includes several other buildings such as the tomb of Sunan Ampel, a pesantren (Islamic boarding school), and a museum. The tomb of Sunan Ampel is located on the north side of the mosque and is a pilgrimage site for Muslims who visit. The pesantren is located on the south side of the mosque and is used for teaching and learning activities. The museum in the Sunan Ampel complex showcases various collections related to the history and culture of Islam in Surabaya.

The Sunan Ampel complex in Surabaya is not only a place of worship but also a religious tourism destination that attracts visitors from both inside and outside the country. Visitors can admire the unique Islamic architecture and art here.

In addition, religious activities such as studies, lectures, and religious gatherings are often held in the Sunan Ampel complex. For those who want to learn more about Islam, the complex also provides a pesantren facility that can be attended by anyone.

If you plan to visit the Sunan Ampel complex in Surabaya, there are some things to keep in mind. First, make sure you wear appropriate and modest clothing. Second, avoid eating or drinking inside the mosque or surrounding area as it is considered impolite.

Lastly, remember to respect those who are worshiping inside the mosque. Do not make noise or disturb those who are praying or performing other religious activities. By maintaining etiquette and manners, we can show our respect for the highly esteemed Islamic religion and culture in Surabaya.