Menara Kudus Mosque

The Menara Kudus Mosque or Al-Aqsha Mosque is located in Kudus in the Indonesian province of Central Java. Dating from 1549, it is one of the oldest mosques in Indonesia, built at the time of Islam's spread through Java. The mosque preserves the tomb of Sunan Kudus, one of the nine Islamic saints of Java (the ''Wali Sanga''), and it is a popular pilgrimage point.Schoppert, P., Damais, S., ''Java Style'', 1997, Didier Millet, Paris, p. 207,

Architecture

It preserves pre-Islamic architectural forms such as old Javanese split doorways, ancient Hindu-Buddhist influenced Majapahit-style red brickwork, and a three-tired pyramidal roof. The most unusual feature is the brick minaret on which a pavilion shelters a large skin drum (''bedug'') which is used to summon the faithful to prayer instead of the more common muezzin. Whereas a ''bedug'' normally hangs under the eaves of a mosque veranda, in the Kudus Mosque it sits in a tower like a Balinese Hindu temple ''kul-kul'' or signal drum used to warn of impending attack, fire, or communal event. No other mosque in Java is known to have a drum tower of this type. Miksic, John N. in Java - Periplus Adventure Guide. Periplus Editions 1997. pp. 246-247

In front of the minaret and around the compound are walls and gateways in the old ''candi bentar'' (split gate) and '' kori agung'' (main gate) styles. Inside are two gateways—a smaller, inner gate with relief panels on either side similar to those found in Mantingan, and an outer gate that is reminiscent of the 14th-century Bajang Ratu gate at Trowulan. Other pre-Islamic touches include 8 ''kala''-head water spouts in the ablution area and Ming porcelain plates set in the walls.

The pre-Islamic elements suggest the complex has incorporated a pre-existing Hindu-Javanese structure. The mosque has been rebuilt several times removing evidence of what the original structure looked like. The Majapahit style gates, walls, and minaret that appear so incongruous today may have blended more harmoniously with the main structure (which probably had a ''meru'' roof supported by large pillars, as in Cirebon and Demak). The peaked roof is a 1920s renovation with terracotta tiles replacing wooden tiles, with glass windows inserted between the roof tiers. The roof is topped with a '' mastaka'' crown roof element. An inscription over the ''mihrab'' says the mosque was founded by Ja'far Shodiq in AH 956 (AD 1549). He is believed to be the venerated Sunan Kudus one of the nine Islamic saints of Java (''Wali Sanga'') who lies buried in an elaborately carved mausoleum behind the mosque. The complex includes a Mogul-style mosque with a silvery onion-dome and concrete pillars.

File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Minaret en moskee van Koedoes TMnr 60054755.jpg, The tower and domed mosque main building.
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM De minaret bij de moskee van Koedoes TMnr 10016671.jpg, The bedug drum in the pavilion atop the menara (minaret).
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Gespleten poort bij de moskee van Koedoes TMnr 10016516.jpg, Majapahit style split gate and red brickwork
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Poort bij de moskee van Koedoes TMnr 10016667.jpg, Mosque gate (''Pintu gerbang'')
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Sultansgraven in de moskee van Koedoes TMnr 10016645.jpg, Cemetery (''Makam'')

See also

*Indonesian architecture
*Mosques in Indonesia

External links

25 images at archnet.org

References

{{Mosques in Indonesia

Mosques in Indonesia
Religious buildings and structures converted into mosques
History of Islam in Indonesia
Religious buildings and structures in Central Java
Cultural Properties of Indonesia in Central Java
Religious buildings and structures completed in 1549