Gedung Setan
 | This article may require copy editing for organization, cohesion and to improve categories. (February 2020) |
| Devil's House | |
|---|---|
Gedung Setan | |
| File:Gedung Setan.jpg | |
  Location in Surabaya | |
| General information | |
| Address | Banyu Urip Wetan I A No.107, RT.001/RW.06, Banyu Urip, Kec. Sawahan, Kota SBY, Jawa Timur 60254 |
| Town or city | Surabaya |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Coordinates | 6°59′2.13″S 110°24′38.28″E / 6.9839250°S 110.4106333°E |
| Groundbreaking | 1809 |
| Construction started | 1809 |
| Completed | 1815 |
| Opened | 1945 |
| Owner | Teng Khoen Gwan |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 5 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | J.A. Middelkoop |
Devil's House in Surabaya
Gedung Setan (also known as Spookhius) is a heritage building that provided Chinese families with a place of safety during Indonesian mass killings of Chinese ethnic groups in 1965 and 1966. This building has played an important role in the lives of many Chinese descendants (Tionghoa) in Surabaya.[1]
History
Built-in 1809, The Devil’s House was instituted by the Dutch East India Company, which once governed Indonesia. A Chinese doctor and businessman bought the building in 1945 with the intention of opening a funeral home for the Chinese families. In 1948, The Indonesian National Armed Forces battled against the Communist Party of Indonesia, which threatened the Chinese families at that time, decided to transform this building into a refugee shelter for the Chinese in Madi. After the event of G30SPKI, as Soharto lead the New Order, the Chinese-Indonesians was at risk of being suspected to be an ally of the Chinese Communist Party. Again, another group of immigrants found shelter at the Devil’s House. The fact that the majority of Chinese Surabayans were supporters of Soekarno made the situation even more complicated as some were captured as targets. The name of the building itself, Gedung Setan or Devil’s House, was generated by the people due to the poor situation that made the Chinese become isolated from education and the Chinese language itself. They were smuggled in the darkness, veiled from the regimes they sought a haven from.[2][3]
Architecture
This building was a governor office for Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC) during the occupation of Dutch in Indonesia. Most of the buildings were built by Dutch architects had thick walls, leading to Gedung Setan's wall thickness of almost 50 centimeters. Also, there are several floors with chambers on each that was used for offices. There are 40 chambers that nowadays are used for residents to live in. Each room has its size around 18 m2.[4] The blueprint for this building cannot be found. Lack of resources about this building both from Indonesian and Dutch government restrains further research about the architecture of this building.
Current situation
Nowadays, there are different ethnic groups that live inside this building, but the majority are of Indonesian Chinese-descent. Building manager (Sutikno Djijanto) confirms inter-cultural marriage between Tionghoa, Maduranese, Javanese, and several other ethnic groups was the predominant reason for this trend. There are around 53 Chinese-Indonesians families that are still living in Gedung Setan.[5] Although the situation is relatively safe for them to live within the society, they still choose to live in Gedung Setan. They want to fulfill the mandate from the owner of this building, Dr. Teng Khoen Gwan, to protect the building. However, it has been challenging for them to act upon the mandate due to the location of the building in a strategic market place. Many have attempted to claim the ownership of the building with the intention of changing it into a market place. However, with the help of the surrounding communities, Gedung Setan residents are able to confront and refute illegal claims regarding the ownership of the building.[6]
Life in the Devil's House
The building is available for public use of residents. There are complaints about old infrastructure and long queues. [7] Chinese New Year is celebrated by the residents inside the building. The residents decorate the hallways and their habitat. Fellow church members also visit this building to do charity and thanksgiving events.[8]
References
- ^ Surya, Ivan Darski,Reno (2019-03-02). "Bertemu Penghuni Gedung Setan Surabaya: Monumen Trauma Etnis Tionghoa di Masa Lalu". Vice (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2019-11-22.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Darski, Ivan, and Reno Surya. “Welcome to 'Devil's House,' Home to One of Indonesia's Most Persecuted Communities.” Vice, March 4, 2019. https://www.vice.com/en_asia/article/7xndbq/devil-house-chinese-indonesian-history-surabaya. Retrieved 2019-11-19
- ^ Graham, Duncan. “Surabaya's Ghost House.” Latitudes, November 7, 2010. https://latitudes.nu/surabaya’s-ghost-house/. Retrieved 2019-11-19
- ^ "Kisah Anak-anak Penghuni 'Gedung Setan' Surabaya". kumparan (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2019-11-19.
- ^ JawaPos.com (2017-03-23). "Sejarah Gedung Setan Surabaya: Berawal dari Kerusuhan Rasial". JawaPos.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2019-11-19.
- ^ Witanto. "Siap Perang Jika Ada Pihak Yang Mau Merebut Gedung Setan". Ngopibareng.id. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
- ^ JawaPos.com (2017-03-23). "Sejarah Gedung Setan Surabaya: Berawal dari Kerusuhan Rasial". JawaPos.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2019-11-22.
- ^ JawaPos.com (2017-03-23). "Sejarah Gedung Setan Surabaya: Berawal dari Kerusuhan Rasial". JawaPos.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2019-11-22.