Commemorating 2 Decades, Explore 5 Places To Remember The Great Tsunami In Aceh

Aceh Tsunami Museum (Instagram/@eman.fong)

JAKARTA - On December 26, 2004, the world was rocked by a devastating natural disaster, namely a tsunami that hit Aceh and a number of countries in the Indian Ocean region.

Two decades have passed, but the memories of this disaster that claimed more than 230,000 lives are still alive in the memory of the people of Aceh and the world. To commemorate this event, a number of places in Aceh are now monuments and historical sites that remind us of the tragedy, as well as the extraordinary struggle in recovery and revival.

Reported by VOI from various sources, here are 5 places in Aceh that can be visited to commemorate the devastating tsunami incident.

1. Aceh Tsunami Museum

The Aceh Tsunami Museum building is located in the Blang Padang area, Banda Aceh City. This museum was designed by the architect and politician of Indonesia, Ridwan Kamil. The design of the museum building has a unique shape, with a structure resembling a tsunami wave that rolls up.

The Aceh Tsunami Museum, which is located in Banda Aceh, is one of the important sites built to commemorate the devastating tsunami tragedy that hit Aceh on December 26, 2004.

In the museum, visitors can see various artifacts, photos, and video recordings that tell stories of tsunami survivors and recovery efforts carried out by the people of Aceh. This museum is not only a place to remember, but also serves as an educational center for disaster mitigation.

2. Baiturrahman Grand Mosque

The Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh is one of the iconic buildings that has very deep historical and cultural values for the people of Aceh. Apart from being a place of worship, this mosque also witnessed the silentness of the Aceh tsunami tragedy that shook on December 26, 2004.

On December 26, 2004, an earthquake rocked the Indian Ocean region, triggering a devastating tsunami that destroyed almost all parts of Banda Aceh and its surroundings. Many important buildings, including residents' houses, infrastructure, and public facilities, were destroyed or badly damaged. However, the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque remained standing even though it was hit by a very large tsunami wave.

The existence of the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque, which remained firmly standing even though it was hit by the tsunami, made it a symbol of the resilience, hope, and strength for the people of Aceh who were struggling to rise from the major disaster. Many Acehnese see this mosque as a place of refuge and prayer after the tsunami, and even some families who lost their homes make this mosque a temporary place to take shelter.

3. PLTD Floating Ship

The PLTD floating ship located in the Krueng Raya area, Aceh, is one of the most impressive and touching relics of the tsunami tragedy that hit Aceh on December 26, 2004.

The PLTD floating ship is a power plant ship stranded on land about 2 kilometers from the coast after being hit by a tsunami wave. This ship was previously part of a power generation facility that functions to supply energy to the Aceh region. However, when the tsunami hit, a large wave triggered by a devastating earthquake in the Indian Ocean hit the coast of Aceh and caused the ship to be thrown deep into the mainland.

Although the ship was originally in the sea, the strength of the enormous tsunami wave managed to drag the ship and place it in the middle of a residential area. This ship was stranded on the ground, in an area that was previously quite far from the coast. His peculiar and unusual position makes him one of the most striking silent witnesses of the tsunami's devastating power.

4. Ulee Lheue Mass Grave

Ulee Lheue Mass Grave is one of the historical sites that reminds us of the devastating tragedy that hit Aceh on December 26, 2004. Located in the Ulee Lheue area, Banda Aceh, this mass grave witnessed the silentness of the tsunami that killed tens of thousands of people and destroyed most of Aceh, particularly on the west coast.

After a large tsunami caused by an earthquake measuring 9.1 SR in the Indian Ocean, thousands of people in Aceh lost their lives. Many were found incomplete due to the strong exposure of tsunami waves. In the Ulee Lheue area, about 3,000 to 5,000 people are thought to be buried in this mass grave, which consists of various age groups and backgrounds.

This mass burial is not only a final resting place for tsunami victims, but also a symbol of how much damage the disaster has caused. Many of those buried here are local residents, who were not rescued or separated from their families due to the strength of the tsunami waves that came so deeply and quickly.

The Ulee Lheue Mass Grave has a deep meaning for the people of Aceh. Apart from being the final resting place for thousands of victims, this grave is also a symbol of sadness, loss, and also the power to bounce back. This burial reminds us of how great the impact natural disasters have on human life, as well as the importance of unity and solidarity in dealing with tragedy.

5. Aceh Monument Thanks to the World

The "Aceh Thanks to the World" Monument is one of the important symbols located in Banda Aceh City, Indonesia, which expresses the gratitude of the people of Aceh to the international community for the assistance provided during and after the major tsunami disaster on December 26, 2004.

This monument was established as an award to countries and international organizations that have provided humanitarian assistance, reconstruction, and post-tsunami rehabilitation. The establishment of this monument aims to strengthen relations between Aceh and the international community and remind future generations of the importance of global solidarity in dealing with natural disasters.

The "Aceh Thanks to the World" Monument was inaugurated in 2008, four years after the disaster, as a sign of appreciation for the major contributions provided by various parties. International assistance coming from countries around the world is very meaningful in helping Aceh bounce back, both in the form of emergency assistance, infrastructure development, to psychosocial support for victims.

The "Aceh Thanks to the World" Monument has a symbolic and striking design. This monument is in the form of a large hand that points to the sky, symbolizing gratitude and appreciation to the world. The hand holds a world ball, which illustrates that the assistance received by Aceh came from all over the world.