Surabaya Indonesia | Old Side of Surabaya in East Java | 2020

Surabaya is a port city on the Indonesian island of Java. A vibrant, sprawling metropolis, it mixes modern skyscrapers with canals and buildings from its Dutch colonial past. It has a thriving Chinatown and an Arab Quarter whose Ampel Mosque dates to the 15th century. The Tugu Pahlawan (Heroes Monument) honors the independence battles waged in Surabaya’s streets in 1945. The city’s historic Arab quarter, Ampel centers on Masjid Sunan Ampel, a 19th-century mosque with polished teak pillars and a saint’s tomb. Tiny eateries serve Middle Eastern fare like kebabs and spicy lamb rice, while relaxed coffee shops and roadside snack stalls cater to a late-night crowd. Shops in souklike Pasar Ampel market specialize in spices, traditional clothing, and religious items.