Discover Gresik: Mosques, Temples and Historic Houses

Discover Gresik through its different architectural styles: a mosque combines Javanese and Islamic elements, a temple is defined by red and yellow, and old houses showcase Indian and Chinese architectural styles. Nearby is the Makam Sunan Giri complex. These places offer different starting points for planning your trip—from architectural details in town to a prominent tomb shrine in the surrounding area.

Architecture and cultural sites

The architecture of Masjid Jami’ Gresik combines Javanese and Islamic cultural elements; wood and stone decorations add further visible details to the building. On August 24, 2020, the mosque was designated a cultural heritage building at regency level. If you are interested in architectural history and design, you can consider this designation alongside the architecture as a separate aspect of your visit.

At Klenteng Kim Hin Kiong, the colors are a striking feature: its architecture is defined by red and yellow. Kampung Kemasan has a different character, with old houses that combine Indian and Chinese architectural styles. People visit for many different reasons, including tourism, selfies, pre-wedding photography and exploring historic buildings. The houses themselves and the different ways people engage with them are both central to the experience. The range of visitors’ interests makes Kampung Kemasan a destination in its own right if you want to include historic architecture in your trip.

Near Gresik, Makam Sunan Giri is located in Dusun Giri Gajah, Desa Giri, Kecamatan Kebomas, 4 km from the center of Gresik. The complex is divided into three Langkan, marked by gates. At the outer entrance is a Gapura Bentar featuring a Kala Makara in the form of a pair of dragons. This is followed by a second Gapura Bentar, whose form is no longer recognizable, and then a Gapura Paduraksa. At the center is the tomb shrine of Sunan Giri. The sequence of gates and the inner area give the complex a different architectural structure from the mosque and houses in Gresik.

Planning your trip

Alun-alun Gresik is a meeting place where residents relax, exercise and celebrate traditional events. Kampung Kemasan and Gajah Mungkur are each about 700 m from the Alun-alun, which serves as a reference point. The Alun-alun itself offers another perspective on the area: here, the focus is on community use and everyday life, while the architecture takes center stage at the houses and religious buildings.

The Bus Wisata Bandar Grissee operates on a dedicated route in the Bandar Grissee cultural heritage tourism area in Kecamatan Gresik. If you want to include this bus route in your plans, check the timetable before travelling, as times may change.

When looking for a holiday rental in Gresik, it is worth deciding on your priorities first: Would you mainly like to see the mosque, temple and historic houses, experience the Alun-alun as a meeting place, or also visit nearby Makam Sunan Giri? Compare the location of your accommodation with your plans, and keep the different location details in mind. This way, your choice of accommodation will suit the places and experiences that matter most during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Sidoarjo Regency, Blitar, Bojonegoro, Glagah, Donorojo, Pacet, Genteng, Tlanakan.

For the overview of the wider region: East Java.