The hefty weight of Colonial Europe rings strong in the city of Jakarta, which bears traces of this impressive Dutch colonial legacy in its churches, with the Gereja Sion being one of the most stunning spiritual centres in the city. If you’re needing a luxury Jakarta hotel to host your stay in this intriguing Indonesian city, perhaps the Alila Jakarta can fully satisfy your needs. Its central location and gracious hospitality make it an ideal hotel Jakarta has to offer its International guests. Enhance your stay here by visit the iconic Gereja Sion, otherwise known as the “Zion Church”, whose construction in 1695 makes it the the oldest church that is still standing in the city. It was built as a place of worship for the slave population who hailed from Eurasia and Malaya, who were granted their freedom if they joined the Dutch Reformed Church. Its huge arching windows, unassuming facade, and hall-like interior characterize it as typically Portuguese in design. Adding to its charm and historicity are the original pipe organ used in services today, a dark baroque-styled pulpit, and huge copper chandeliers evoking the grandeur of Europe. It is now under the jurisdiction of the Protestant Churches of Indonesia and remains a central part of the city’s historical legacy.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.