Banda Aceh
Country: Indonesia
Region: Asia
Period: 16th-20th c.CE
Location: 5.55°N, 95.3175°E
Description
Banda Aceh is a vibrant city located on the northern tip of Sumatra, Indonesia. It boasts a rich history shaped by the Sultanate of Aceh, once a powerful and wealthy Islamic kingdom. Overlooking the Malacca Strait, Banda Aceh was a strategic maritime hub and a center of Islamic scholarship. Today, it’s a blend of cultural heritage, natural beauty, and modern growth.
Modern Remains
Key landmarks include the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque, a stunning example of Acehnese architecture with its grand domes and minarets. The Aceh Tsunami Museumstands as a testament to the 2004 tragedy. Kerkhoff Monument, Lamhom Cemetery, and Pintu Aceh are other significant sites, as is the Gunongan (a royal garden built by the Sultan). The city's old quarter still contains remnants of Dutch colonial architecture.