From a Public Library to an Underground Skatepark, here’s what you can find at Alun-alun Surabaya

Plus an art gallery and a community center.

Alun-alun is translated as a city town square. Now, many people know that Surabaya’s town square is completely different from typical town squares in other cities in Indonesia. Alun-alun Surabaya is one of the most famous destinations in my city. If you think about a large, open grass field, this one is a bit different. But, the idea is pretty much the same, it is a free place where people can enjoy their time or do other activities they like. Let’s explore!

Open Space

That is the first sight you'll see if you visit this place. A beautiful colonial building with a stunning dome and a little pond in front of it. This is the main area where people usually spend time and take photos.

Located in the city center, you can reach Alun-alun Surabaya within 7 minutes by motorbike and perhaps less than 20 minutes walk from the nearest station, Gubeng Station.

Surabaya town square was built at the Balai Pemuda complex, a historic building from the Dutch colonial era. That's why you can see slightly European colonial style touches with some modern elements from this building’s architecture.

After being revitalized, this place is divided into two parts: an open park area with pedestrian paths and an underground area. The large open space is often used to host events such as local business exhibitions or culinary events, even art events with a grand stage, which are sometimes held.

When there aren’t any events held, people wander this large open space area while taking pictures here and there. Alun-alun Surabaya is also a quite popular spot for graduation photoshoots. So during graduation months, you'll find many graduate students looking stunning with their diplomas, posing for memorable photos with family and friends.

Another building you can find in this main area is a spacious, comfortable mosque with a clean look, and also the pigeon cage filled with blooming flowers around it. You can watch some pigeons roam freely around that corner.

There’s also a cafeteria upstairs. The concept is semi-outdoor, allowing you to enjoy the street view or the surrounding hanging lights that come on at night, creating a warmer atmosphere. However, from what I know, the stall that frequently opens is downstairs, so I’m not sure if there are still any stalls open upstairs.

Public Library

The next attraction you can find at the main open space area is the public library. The library is not particularly large, but it offers many books and also a space for study or work. And of course it’s free to enter. They have textbooks on various subjects, novel in Indonesian or English, comics, and other types of books related to hobbies and interests.

There are several different areas, such as a children library room with colorful decorations and lots of children book selection, a workspace in the middle of the room, even a Korean Corner and Learning-English Corner. This public library is often used by elementary school students to study together. The staff is also very helpful and can create fun activities for them.

Community Center

According to Wikipedia, this building once served as an entertainment and social center for the colonial elite. So after the Proclamation of Independence, the building was officially renamed Balai Pemuda (like a youth center), reflecting a shift in orientation from an exclusive colonial venue to an inclusive public space for community activities.

If you have an opportunity to explore the overall architecture of this building, you will also find several hallways with fairly large doors. I’m pretty sure all of the rooms have their own function, but I personally don’t know much about them. As far as I know, several community-based activities are held here, for example Rumah Bahasa. It’s like a free language learning activity that is held regularly for free.

They teach several languages such as English, Japanese, and even Mandarin. The system of some classes is tentative, meaning the tutor is different for each session, and the modules also may not be taught sequentially. But that’s a great activity they provide, especially because it’s free. I haven’t tried signing up yet, but I'd love to someday, hehe.

Art Gallery

Now, even if you don’t enter this building, you can see this modern glass architecture amidst the historic buildings from the side of the street. The basement area of Alun-alun Surabaya is designed with a more modern approach and features a futuristic glass dome that allows natural light and creates an open atmosphere. Once you enter, there’s an escalator that takes you to the underground area.

With a stunning modern interior design and air conditioning, I'm sure you will be comfortable there. This space is used as an exhibition space and art gallery. This place offers the experience of enjoying local artworks that are neatly displayed here. local art and appreciate the creativity of the artists. The art collection is also regularly updated, providing a fresh experience every time you visit.

Underground Skatepark

You’re reading it correctly, there’s a skate park in this beautiful historical building, but it is located in the basement area. It is an indoor skatepark where people interested in this extreme sport can practice for free. In case you’re interested in skateboarding, the ground is not too smooth and some obstacles aren’t well-maintained, which is not really beginner-friendly, in my opinion. However, since it’s indoor, this skate park can be a good option if you want to practice on a rainy day.

Overall, the architecture of this underground area is quite different from the outdoor area which features colonial buildings. The lighting in the basement area is also warmer, so Alun-alun Surabaya can be said to offer a different atmosphere at every corner. Considering the fact that it’s free entry where we just need to pay a parking fee, the vibe is quite pleasant for spending time alone or with loved ones.

I think it’s a perfect destination for those who want to experience the historical atmosphere combined with modern touches. Thank you for reading as always. Upvote for more content like this, and reblog also appreciated. Have a nice day, hivers! :)

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