Tuo Kayu Jao Mosque, 16th century mosque in Batang Barus, West Sumatra.
Tuo Kayu Jao Mosque is a wooden structure with a rectangular form approximately 15 meters long and 10 meters wide located in Batang Barus. The roof sits upon 27 wooden pillars that create a traditional multi-layered construction supporting the entire building.
The mosque was founded in 1599 by Angku Musaur and Angku Labai and ranks among the region's oldest Islamic places of worship. Its establishment marks a significant moment in the early religious development of West Sumatra.
The structure displays traditional Minangkabau craftsmanship through its decorative details and distinctive three-tiered palm fiber roof. These building methods reflect local construction practices that remain connected to the community today.
Visitors should obtain permission from the community before entering and wear sturdy shoes for the rural paths. Access comes via gravel trails from the nearest village, so allow extra time for the approach on foot.
The mosque sits in a valley beneath plantation land rather than in a typical urban or central location for a religious building. This remote setting has allowed the structure to remain largely unchanged across the centuries.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
