Lawang Sewu

Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia

---

Lawang Sewu, meaning “A Thousand Doors” in Javanese, is one of Semarang’s most iconic and enigmatic landmarks. Built between 1904 and 1907 as the headquarters of the Dutch East Indies Railway Company (Nederlandsch-Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij), this grand colonial structure is a masterpiece of New Indies architecture, blending Dutch Rationalism with local adaptations for Indonesia’s tropical climate.

The building’s nickname comes from its labyrinth of doors and arched windows—though it doesn’t literally have a thousand, the sheer number creates an illusion of endless passageways. Inside, you’ll find high ceilings, stained glass windows, and wide corridors designed for natural ventilation.

The complex includes several buildings, with the L-shaped Building A facing the Tugu Muda roundabout and twin towers that once stored water. Lawang Sewu’s history is layered with both grandeur and darkness. During the Japanese occupation in World War II, parts of the building were used as a prison and torture site, particularly the basement of Building B. This grim past has fueled its reputation as one of Indonesia’s most haunted places, further popularized by local legends and horror films.