Happy TravellerMagelang is a city located in the heart of Central Java Province, Indonesia. It is one of six cities in the region that are administratively independent of the regencies in which they lie geographically. The city is governed by a mayor rather than a bupati, covers an area of 18.12 km2, and has a population of 121,526 as of the 2020 census. Magelang lies 43 km north of Yogyakarta, 15 km north of Mungkid, and 75 km south of Semarang, the capital of Central Java.
History:
Magelang was established on 11 April 907 and was formerly known as a village called Mantyasih, which is now known as Meteseh. There are three steles of historical importance in Magelang, namely Poh, Gilikan, and Mantyasih, all of which are written on a copper plate. The city has historically been a military post, dating back to the Dutch East Indies colonial era. It subsequently acted as an army stronghold for Indonesian pro-independence movements against the Dutch government during the resistance period.
Places of interest:
Magelang is the closest major town to Borobudur, a ninth-century Buddhist monument located about 40 km (25 mi) northwest of Yogyakarta. Just 12 km from the town center is Candi Selogriyo, an eighth-century Hindu temple near the village of Candisari. The Canggal Temple, also located in the Magelang regency, has a Sanskrit transcription bearing the name of the first Mataram Kingdom ruler, Sanjaya. There is white water rafting on the Elo River, located in the district of Magelang. The Elo River disgorges from Mount Merbabu, Mount Telomoyo, and Mount Ungaran, so it is not affected by the flow of volcanic material from Mount Merapi. Magelang has several universities, colleges, and academies, including Indonesian Military Academy (Akmil) and Muhammadiyah University of Magelang (Unimma).
Transportation:
The main modes of transportation in Magelang are cars, motorcycles, buses, paddy cabs, becak, and bicycles. The city used to have a railway track from Semarang to Yogyakarta passing at its center (along Jalan Pemuda), but it has since been redirected outside the city. Unfortunately, today the railway track does not function again. Magelang does not have its own airport and therefore relies on Yogyakarta’s Adisutjipto International Airport, Surakarta’s Adisumarmo International Airport, and Semarang’s Achmad Yani International Airport. The easiest way to reach Adi Sucipto International Airport in Yogyakarta is by using DAMRI buses that are specially operated to carry people from Magelang to Adi Sucipto Airport and its way-back.
Motto:
Magelang’s motto is HARAPAN (in English: Hope). It is made of Hidup, Aman, Rapi, Asri dan Nyaman (in English: living, safe, tidy, green, and comfort).
In conclusion, Magelang is a charming city that boasts a rich history, stunning natural landscapes, and a variety of cultural attractions. Whether you’re interested in exploring ancient temples, experiencing white water rafting, or simply soaking up the local culture, Magelang has something for everyone. So why not make this enchanting destination your next travel destination?
