Lawang Sewu

Lawang Sewu: A Journey Through Time

Lawang Sewu Today

Lawang Sewu is open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with ticket prices at approximately 80 cents for adults and 40 cents for children. Visitors can also hire a guide to explore the building and learn about its history. However, guides are restricted from discussing the darker aspects of its past or its haunted reputation.

Details of the Dungeon

Exploring the Haunted History and Architectural Wonders of Lawang Sewu

My Comments

Lawang Sewu

I've never been here before as it is quite far from my hometown, but the first time I saw this building, it looks like a normal old structure with a typical 1900s architectural style.

The Squat Prisons

I think the government did a great job renovating this building because it keeps its value in modern society. There are many historical buildings across Indonesia, but most have been forgotten, with no efforts to restore them. Learning about this building’s history, especially the hardships during the Japanese occupation,made me realize it means much more than I first thought. It’s not just a haunted place but also a symbol of culture and history.

Description of the Dungeon

Where did I saw it?

The structure of the squat prison was small and cramped, with a shallow ceiling that barely allowed a person to stand. Each of the tanks measures 1,5x1,5 meters, with a height of around 1,7 meters, this specification forces them to remain kneeling or squatting position. Sometimes, water would even flood to the knee height, worsening the condition for prisoners. They were left in cold, dirty water for days, which sometimes caused infection. Moreover, the cells were poorly ventilated and had little to no light.

Lawang Sewu dungeon has three hallway corridors, each connecting to old storage rooms, with one of them used to store water. Unlike normal prison cells, the dungeons of Lawang Sewu were designed to cause both physical pain and mental stress.

I saw this in a TV Show called "Dunia Lain" (Another dimension), which I used to watch with my parents. This was the episode when they explored the basement of Lawang Sewu, and it went viral as a ghostly presence caught in camera.

The Standing Prison

The standing prison in Lawang Sewu is a small, vertical chamber specially designed to restrict movement and cause severe discomfort. These 1x1 meter compartments leave no room to sit, crouch, or lie down, the condition is worsened as one cell will be filled with up to 5 prisoners.

Historical Background

Works Cited

Horror Stories

Overview of Lawang Sewu

Architectural Design and Features

Lawang Sewu, translated as "a thousand doors" in Javanese, is one of Indonesia’s most iconic historical buildings located in Semarang, Central Java. Built between 1904 and 1907, it is known for its special design and its importance in the country’s railway history.

The architecture of Lawang Sewu was designed by Cosman Citroen, combining Dutch colonial and local styles. The building features high ceilings, spacious corridors, and unique arches, with approximately 600 doors and windows that supports airflow, making it feel open and airy

Role in Dutch East Indies Railway

Lawang Sewu served as the head office for the Dutch East Indies Railway Company (NIS), facilitating transportation and trade in Indonesia during colonial rule. Its strategic location and design played a crucial role in the development of the railways in the region.

What did they say?

The Movie,

Lawang Sewu: Dendam Kuntilanak

Andi Prasetyo, a tour guide who regularly leads visitors through Lawang Sewu, had seen the fear in people’s eyes when they were about to enter the basement. But he was not prepared for what happened in one evening. “I was leading a group through the basement late in the day,” he recalled. As we stood in one of the old prison cells, we heard something — the sound of chains dragging on the floor.” The sound started to get louder over time, and several people in the group claimed to have seen shadows in the room's corners. Andi quickly led them out of the basement, unsure of what happened. “I’ve heard stories about ghosts in the basement, but hearing those chains with my own ears was something else,” he said

Rini Suryati has worked as a security guard at the building for several years. “I was walking down one of the hallways late at night when I saw her,” she said, “There was a woman standing at the end of the corridor. She had long black hair and a white dress. I thought she was just a lost tourist, so I called out to her.” As Rini walked closer, the woman suddenly vanished. “I froze. My heart was pounding,” she said. “I’ve never seen anything like it before. I didn’t know what to believe, but I know what I saw. Now, I avoid that hallway after dark.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawang_Sewu

https://thelittlehouseofhorrors.com/lawang-sewu/

https://youtu.be/53P0h6ovFpU?si=5hMpiF7pONzvxCRY

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1102260/

https://www.javanesemyths.com/kuntilanak-haunting-the-unborn/

https://youtu.be/pnL0XgK_plY?si=6dAHZkL8AMLrezFM

https://youtu.be/7lOH7SD_GnM?si=ndx_ZVZc7YLHVYdO

https://www.javanesemyths.com/exploring-lawang-sewu-ghost-encounters-and-paranormal-activity/

https://ikonwisatasemarang.blogspot.com/2013/10/penjara-bawah-tanah-lawang-sewu.html

https://ceritaberkat.com/lawang-sewu-jaman-dulu/

https://searail.malayanrailways.com/PJKA/Nederland-Indies%20Railway/NISM.htm

https://lekgunsketchbook.blogspot.com/2010/07/gdung-lawang-sewu.html

Released in 2007, It was about a group of teenagers who decided to explore the old building at night. As they went further inside, they encountered supernatural events, like ghost appearance and haunting spirits tied to the building’s history. However, this movie did not talk about the dark history of Lawang Sewu and instead focused on bringing rumors and ghost stories to life.

Post-Independence Functions

Japanese Occupation during WWII

During World War II, the Japanese army occupied Lawang Sewu, converting it into military headquarters and a prison. This period marked a dark chapter in its history, with Dutch soldiers and Indonesian freedom fighters executed in the dungeons, leading to numerous ghost stories associated with the basement.

After Indonesia gained independence in 1945, Lawang Sewu continued to serve various governmental functions, primarily for the Indonesian Railway Company. However, by the 1970s and 1980s, the building’s condition got worsened due to a lack of care and maintenance, During these years, people start viewing it as a creepy place.

Kuntilanak

Restoration Efforts (2009 Onwards)

Urban legend, Kuntilanak is said to haunt the building. The Kuntilanak is often described as a beautiful woman with long black hair, wearing a white dress stained with blood. Kuntilanak spirits usually haunt dark, desolate places such as abandoned buildings like Lawang Sewu, forests, and cemeteries. Her haunting style is attracting victims by high pitched cries of baby or woman, once the victim is within reach, she will attack with her sharp claws and suck the victim's blood.

In 2009, the Indonesian government launched a major restoration project to preserve the building’s architecture and make it accessible to the public. The restoration process aims to maintain its original shape while repairing damaged structures and saving it from further degradation.