The History of the Maimun Palace, Meriam Puntung, and Great Mosque of Medan # 1

Last week, I visited some famous historical place in the city of Medan. Medan is the third largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta and Surabaya. And I have live here for 18 years now.
Let's follow my one-day journey to Maimun Palace, Meriam Puntung, and Great Mosque of Medan!
This post is for you, all my new friends!

So, the journey starts from Maimun Palace.
Actually, my house is very close to the Maimun Palace, just about ten minutes, I think.
After I got there, I walked in front of the palace building and took some pictures first.
Then, I was curious about the crowd on the right side of the place. Turn out, there is a traditional house there.

To enter the traditional house, we have to pay money of Idr.3.000. The Meriam Puntung is in that tradisional house.
I can feel the atmosphere inside is very tense. Some flowers even placed above the Meriam Puntung. While taking pictures, there is a guard that explains the story of Meriam Puntung.

The most attractive part of Meriam Puntung is you can hear some sound from the war that happen in the past.
Sometimes the sound of moaning and crying can be heard too. I can also hear it.

The Brief History of Meriam Puntung, Puteri Hijau and Aceh Kingdom
Based on the saga, Meriam Puntung (Meriam Buntung in Karo) is the embodiment of the sister of Princess Green from Haru Kingdom which was around 1594 AD.

One day, Princess Green receive proposal from Sultan of Aceh, but she refused. Then, the Sultan of Aceh decided to attack the Haru Kingdom. He sent Gocah Pahlawan Commander to attack the Haru Kingdom. But because the fort was very solid, Aceh's troops failed to penetrate.

Recognizing the number of troops shrinking after many were killed, Aceh's warlords wielded a new strategy. They ordered his soldiers to shoot gold coins at the warrior fortress who survived behind the gate.

The atmosphere became uncontrollable because the guards of the fort were fighting over gold coins and left his post. As they were busy picking up gold coins, the Acehnese soldiers broke in easily.

The last defense of Haru Kingdom is one of the brothers of the Green Daughter, Meriam Puntung. But as it was fired continuously, the gun became hot, exploded, flung, and interrupted.

The fragment bounces into two different places. One end bounced to Kampung Sukanalu, Barus Jahe District, Tanah Karo District now. Meanwhile, the other end is now in a building located in the courtyard of the Maimun Palace, that I visited.

After I got out of the Meriam Puntung place, I headed back to the Maimun Palace.
Maimun Palace is one of the most beautiful palace that still exist in Indonesia. The palace consist of two floors. Not only that, the palace divided into three parts, the main building, the left wing and the right wing.

I went inside by climbing stairs to the 2nd floor and pay ticket of Idr.5.000.
Inside, there is main chamber, very nice Malay pelaminan and decorations, lamps, and interesting furniture.
The Yellow color dominance and Sheen of light also create a royal atmosphere.

Here you can check out a modest collection of kerises

Still inside the palace, there is some counters that sells souvenirs and rented Malay clothes for visitors.
I tried dress up in traditional Malay costume and take photos for collection.

Here's the picture

The Brief History of Maimun Palace
Maimun Palace (Indonesia : Istana Maimun) is an istana (royal palace) of the Sultanate of Deli and a well known land mark in Medan,the capital city of North Sumatera, Indonesia.

Built by Sultan Ma’mun Al Rashid Perkasa Alamyah in years 1887- 1891, the palace was designed by the Dutch architect Theodoor Van Erp and covers, 2.772 m2 with a total of 30 rooms.

The Palace has became a popular tourist destination in the city, not solely because of its historical heritage status, but also because of its unique interior of the palace, combining elements of Malay cultural heritage, Islamic and Indian architecture, with spanish and Italian furniture and fittings.
Location Jl. Brig.Jend. Katamso no. 1 Medan .North Sumatera – Indonesia.

After satisfied walking around, I decided to get out of the Maimun Palace complex and across there is seen Mosque which was once one complex with Maimun Palace.

The Brief History of Great Mosque of Medan
Great Mosque of Medan or Mesjid Raya Al Mashun is a mosque located in Medan, Indonesia was built in the year 1906 and complated in 1909, in beginning of it’s establishment, the mosque was apart of the Maimun Palace complex.

It’s architectural style combines Middle Easter, Indian and Spanish elements. The Mosque has an octagonal shape and has wings to the south, East, north and west.

Sultan Maimun Al Rashid Perkasa Alam as a leader of Sultanate of Deli Started the development of Masjid Al Mashun on 21 August 1906, The entire development was completed on sept 1909. Construction of the Mosque was financed by The Sultanate of Deli , the Deli Maatschappij and TJONG A FIE the wealthiest business man in Medan at that time.

That's all for this trip!
Hopefully, my trip can add some knowledge about the city of Medan and its famous historical place.
Don't forget to comment and please upvote the post if you liked it.
Thank You and see you in the next trip! ^^