Medan is the capital and the largest city in the Indonesian province of North Sumatra. This vibrant city is home to nearly two million people. Various rituals and centuries-old traditions are still alive and are strictly followed in Medan. Generations of local people have passed the national culture to their descendants. It would be an exaggeration to call Medan a popular tourist destination, but the city has many interesting places to visit. Moreover, life doesn’t stop in Medan even at night.
The history of Medan started from a small village called Kampung Medan. Under the guidance of Guru Patimpus Sembiring Pelawi, a small settlement turned into a town in the 90s of the 16th century. The Batak people, a Proto-Malay group of the indigenous people of Sumatra, were the first settlers here. However, the town was developing slowly until the 60s of the 19th century. Twelve years later, colonists from the Netherlands entered the territory of this Indonesian settlement and defeated Deli sultans. The Dutch captured the land and started clearing it for a tobacco plantation.
Are you interested in the main attractions of Medan? The Great Mosque of Medan or Masjid Raya Al Mashun is one of the major attractions of this Indonesian city. A fabulous example of Dutch architecture, this mosque is, without a doubt, one of the main architectural and historical attractions in Medan. For decades, this building has been in an ideal condition. The mosque was built at the beginning of the 20th century by the project of a Dutch architect who chose the Moroccan style for the shrine. The Great Mosque of Medan is the most important sacred place for residents of the city and its neighborhoods.
Outside, the shrine resembles the Great Mosque of Tuban on Java Island. For residents of Medan and its suburbs, the mosque is an important religious and cultural symbol. Masjid Raya Al Mashun became even more prominent and popular in 2004 when it had survived in a devastating tsunami. Since that time, local people consider their main mosque to be protected by the divine forces.
How about turning into a sultan who walks in his gorgeous property? In Medan, tourists are welcome to visit the gorgeous Maimoon Palace that is also known as Istana Maimun. Just like the mosque, the palace is incredibly popular with tourists and is one of the symbols of Medan. The construction of the gorgeous palace in Rococo style started in 1888. The sultan’s palace is a prominent attraction in Medan and one of the city’s most luxurious estates of the colonial period. To keep the major landmark in good condition, the city’s authorities frequently restore the palace.
When taking a stroll in the Maimoon Palace, don’t forget to take a look at the items in the souvenir shop. A decent choice of the national jewelry made by local masters cannot leave visitors indifferent, especially female guests. In this shop, it is possible to find a suitable jewelry piece for virtually any occasion. Everything is made in strict accordance with Indonesian traditions, so items made by skilled Medan jewelers will remind you of the exotic land of Sumatra for years to come.
The construction of the palace for Sultan Ma'mun Al Rashid Perkasa Alam Shah ended in 1891. The building is famous not only for its honorable age but also for the interesting interior design that combines elements of several styles: Malay and Arabian. Some elements of décor are typical for the Spanish, Italian, and Indian architectures. Visitors can see the throne hall with a giant crystal chandelier, antique furniture, and royal portraits on the walls.
Kualanamu International Airport near Medan opened in 2013. At the moment, this airport serves flights from such destinations as Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok, and Hat Yai. The distance from the airport to the city of Medan is roughly forty kilometers. Having landed at the airport, tourists need to take a train to Medan that will bring them to the city center in half an hour.
