The book covers a broad range of examples of Indonesian architecture and the astonishing perfection of local craftsmen on the many islands of the Archipelago. In total, 62 mosques are presented with their historical backgrounds and origins, supported by hundreds of beautiful professional photographs. From the Province of Aceh in the West to Papua in the East the splendid examples prove the skills of the local people, which were perfected and further developed by blending their own traditions with imported knowledge. Chinese input brought in by the famous Admiral Cheng Ho in the early 15th century is as prominently explained as the Arabian elements for that matter.

Quite a number of the selected mosques are situated in remote areas, where days of travel are needed to reach them in their total loneliness, even by using modern means of transportation.

The presentation of the mosques is heavily supported by an extensive description of their origins, with regard to architecture as well as the cultural background. The introduction explains the various elements to be observed in “The World of Old Mosques at a Glance”. That helps to understand why people in the past have done certain things the way they did.

Indonesia by size and population is one of the largest countries in the world. About 225 million people embrace Islam, more than 90% of the total population. They are very devoted Muslims, be it in Aceh Province in the West, in Sumatra or Java, in Kalimantan, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, Maluku or Papua in the East. Their vast majority lives outside the huge cities in rural areas. They stick to their old traditions and are very modest and peaceful people, much to be admired for their modesty and devotion to traditions.

The old mosques magnificently reflect that.

ISBN: 978-979-17057-8-3
Artbook by Asti Kleinsteuber
Languages: Indonesian & English
Format: Hard Cover, 25 x 33 cm, 612 pages
Price: IDR 1,846,500
Full color with more than 500 exclusive photos