Surakarta City Government Sets Solo Cultural Conservation GPIB

The Protestant Church in western Indonesia (GPIB) Penabur Solo in Solo, Central Java, Friday (6/12/2024). ANTARA/Aris Wasita

SOLO - The Surakarta City Government has designated the Protestant Church in West Indonesia (GPIB) Penabur Solo as a cultural heritage building.

Head of the History Development and Preservation Division of Cultural Conservation of the Surakarta City Culture and Tourism Office, Sungkono, said the building was still in accordance with the original in 1832.

"The old architecture with the old building in the middle. The building is still original in shape, the window," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, December 6.

Regarding the comparison of the current condition of the building and when it was originally built, his party has pocketed authentic evidence.

"Based on the existing photos from the church and from us there are also old photos," he said.

By establishing the church as a cultural heritage building, he advised the church to submit a budget to the local government when there is development.

"Later, if there is development, please submit a proposal to the Surakarta City Government to ask for grant funds. God willing, it can be included later because it includes the old building with evidence from this cultural heritage study," he said.

Furthermore, if there is development, there must be a companion team from the Surakarta City Culture and Tourism Office.

"There must be a companion team from us," he said.

He said that currently almost all old churches in Solo are included as cultural heritage buildings.

"In Solo there are about five, that's all the church. If there are 170 buildings in Solo, 97 of which are SK," he said.