Semarang, Harbor City

Caption Bahasa Indonesia

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The view of the Semarang River and the Berok Bridge in the south of the Old Town of Semarang, 1920-21 (Source: kitlv)

In the past, before the existence of motorized vehicles, people extensively utilized water transportation such as ships, boats, and sampans, relying on the sea and rivers as their travel routes. During that era, Semarang emerged as a bustling port city, teeming with large trading vessels. By the 1820s, Semarang had evolved into a busy port engaged in international trade activities.

The presence of a port in Semarang dates back to the 8th century AD, during the ancient Mataram Kingdom. This port, known as Bergota Port, experienced changes in its coastal dynamics, leading to shallowness and eventually shifting northward. As a result, the once-thriving Bergota Port left no traces and is currently visible only as a vast cemetery in the central area of Semarang.

Moving forward to the 15th century, another port emerged in Semarang, specifically in the Pasar Bulu area, extending to Simongan. During this period, a significant number of Chinese immigrants arrived in Semarang. During his visits to various cities along the North Coast of Java, Semarang is also recognized as one of the stopping points for the fleet of Cheng Ho, a Chinese explorer. The monumental arrival of Cheng Ho's fleet is commemorated in a building known as the Sam Poo Kong Temple.

In the 16th century, Semarang reached the pinnacle of its prosperity as a thriving trading center. During this period, Semarang successfully took over the role previously played by Jepara, which was once the main trading port in the archipelago. Similar to Bergota Port, the silting in Jepara's port made it unsuitable for large ships. Interestingly, Semarang even replaced the VOC (Dutch East India Company) defense base that was initially located in Jepara.

The uniqueness of Semarang compared to Jepara lies in its ideal geographical location, supported by the fertile surrounding plains. Semarang became the primary gateway for the import and export of various agricultural commodities from the inland regions of Central Java. The port of Semarang during this era was bustling, attracting both local and foreign traders and serving as a docking point for ships from both within and outside the archipelago.

Along with other port cities such as Malacca, Johor-Siak, Batavia (now Jakarta), Cirebon, and Makassar, Semarang played a pivotal role in the archipelago's swirling maritime trade of the 15th to 16th centuries. These port cities were interconnected in an international trade network that extended to China and Europe, forming a vital trade route during that era.