Affiliation Islam Architectural style Javanese Minaret(s) None Province Central Java Architect Sunan Kalijaga | Administration Demak government Completed 1479 Opened 1479 Region Demak Regency | |
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Location Jalan Sultan Fatah, Bintoro Demak, Central Java, Indonesia Address Kampung Kauman, Kel. Bintoro, Kec. Demak, Bintoro, Kec. Demak, Kabupaten Demak, Jawa Tengah 59511, Indonesia Similar Menara Kudus Mosque, Great Mosque of Cirebon, Great Mosque of Central J, Great Mosque of Banten, Mantingan Mosque | ||
Masjid Agung Demak (or Demak Great Mosque) is one of the oldest mosques in Indonesia, located in the center town of Demak, Central Java Indonesia. The mosque is believed to be built by the Nine Muslim Saints (Wali Songo) with the most prominent figure Sunan Kalijaga, during the first Demak Sultanate ruler, Raden Patah during the 15th century.
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Features
Although it has had a number of renovations, it is thought to be largely in its original form. The mosque is a classic example of a traditional Javanese mosque. Unlike mosques in the Middle East it is built from timber. Rather than a dome, which did not appear on Indonesian mosques until the 19th century, the roof is tiered and supported by four saka guru teak pillars. The tiered roof shows many similarities with wooden religious structures from the Hindu-Buddhist civilizations of Java and Bali. The main entrance of Masjid Agung Demak consists of two doors carved with motifs of plants, vases, crowns and an animal head with an open wide-toothed mouth. It is said that picture depicts the manifested thunder caught by Ki Ageng Selo, hence their name “Lawang Bledheg” (the doors of thunder).
Like other mosques of its era, its orientation towards Mecca is only approximate.
Carving and historical relics
Its walls contain Vietnamese ceramics. With their shapes derived from conventions of Javanese woodcarving and brickwork, they are thought to have been specially ordered. The use of ceramic rather than stone is thought to have been in imitation of the mosques of Persia.