Masjid Wustho Mangkunegaran, Royal mosque near Mangkunegaran Palace in Surakarta, Indonesia
Masjid Wustho Mangkunegaran is a mosque standing near Mangkunegaran Palace in Surakarta with a three-tiered pyramid roof crowned by a finial rising from four central pillars and twelve supporting posts. The complex contains separate prayer halls for men and women, with the main hall opening onto a covered front porch that holds a large ceremonial drum.
Construction began in 1878 and the building reached completion in 1918, with architect Thomas Karsten overseeing renovations during the colonial period. These works show how colonial architectural influences shaped the design of this Islamic structure.
The mosque bears the name Al-Wustho, given in 1949 to reflect its size positioned between two other major mosques in the city. This naming choice shows how the structure fit into the religious landscape of Surakarta.
The building lies close to Mangkunegaran Palace and has clear access for visitors of different faiths. It is worth taking time to observe the different prayer halls and the porch area to understand the full layout of the complex.
An octagonal minaret standing 25 meters tall was built in 1926 to the northeast of the main building and forms a striking feature of the skyline. The complex also contained a special maligen structure that served as a venue for royal circumcision ceremonies.
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