Great Mosque of Banten, 16th-century mosque in Serang City, Indonesia
The Great Mosque of Banten is a place of worship in Serang that served as the spiritual center of an old trading port. The rectangular compound opens toward the sea and includes several buildings gathered around a paved courtyard.
The site was founded in 1552 when ruler Hasanuddin ordered construction to strengthen Islam in the region. Later additions followed under his successor, who expanded the present structures and turned the compound into a major pilgrimage destination.
The name honors Maulana Hasanuddin, one of the region's earliest Muslim preachers whose teachings still shape how religious spaces are organized in the area. Visitors often notice the combination of open courtyards and covered prayer halls, designed to adapt to tropical conditions while allowing plenty of air circulation.
The main hall is open daily for worshippers, and visitors should remove shoes before entering prayer areas and wear modest clothing. Non-Muslims may explore the outer areas but should be especially respectful during prayer times and avoid entering the inner sections.
An octagonal fountain sits at the center of the courtyard and was once used for ritual cleansing, with water supplied through an underground system. Some of the stones in the foundation come from old Hindu temples that stood on the same spot before Islam arrived.
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