The Legendary Sam Po Kong Temple - Semarang, Central Java

Sam Po Kong Temple

Sam Po Kong Stone Building Temple is such a 'petilasan' or the comemorial place of Admiral Zheng He or better known as Cheng Ho that was landing from China in Java Land.

Admiral Zheng He was a Chinese Moslem, he was firstly landed in Simongan area, the southwest part of Semarang City. This temple is having rich ornament between Chinese and Islamic architecture touches.

The temple is being called as Gedung Batu or Stone Building for it acttually a huge cave rock that located in stone hill. This Chinese temple now becomes the pilgrimage venue for those who want to enjoy the touch of history and becomes of Kong Hu Cu church. Although Cheng He was a moslem, but there is altar and statue of Sam Po Tay Djien inside the temple, this such a belief from Kong Hu Cu followers that dead people can give bless to them.

According to the story, Admiral Zheng He was sailing through the sea of Java because there was a sick crew. This made him gave an order to land in Semarang. As an contribution to that area, he built a mosque at the edge of the beach, that now becomes a Chinese Temple. This temple is now located in the heart of Semarang city, because of sea sedimentations.



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