Religious Facilities

Religious Facilities in Solo Baru and Surakarta (Solo)

Solo Baru and the city of Surakarta (commonly known as Solo) are areas rich in cultural diversity and interfaith harmony. This is reflected in the wide availability of religious facilities that are easily accessible to the public, including students at Universitas Sugeng Hartono.

1. Mosques and Prayer Rooms

For Muslim students, there are numerous mosques and musholla (prayer rooms) throughout Solo Baru and surrounding areas. Notable mosques include:

  • Masjid Raya Fatimah – Located in the heart of Solo Baru, this mosque hosts Friday prayers, Quranic studies, and various religious activities.
  • Masjid Agung Surakarta (Great Mosque of Surakarta) – One of the oldest and most historic mosques in Solo, serving as a major Islamic center near the royal palace (Keraton).
  • Masjid Raya Sheikh Zayed Solo – One of the newest and most iconic mosques in Indonesia, inaugurated in 2022. Donated by the United Arab Emirates, this mosque was designed to mirror the grandeur of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Located in Gilingan, it can accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers and includes an Islamic Center, Quranic education park, and facilities for community development and religious events.

Additionally, most residential areas and university campuses provide musholla for daily prayers.

2. Churches

Christian and Catholic students will also find a welcoming spiritual community, with a number of active churches in both Solo Baru and Solo City:

  • St. Paul Catholic Church (Gilingan) and St. Peter Catholic Church (Solo Baru)
  • Javanese Christian Church (GKJ) and Bethel Church of Indonesia (GBI), with branches across Solo and Sukoharjo
  • Several churches also offer English-language services, youth ministries, and social outreach programs.

3. Hindu and Buddhist Temples

For Hindu and Buddhist communities, Solo offers well-maintained temples for religious practice:

  • Pura Mangkunegaran and Pura Agung Saraswati – Important centers for Hindu worship and cultural activities.
  • Vihara Dhamma Sundara – A large Buddhist temple that holds regular services, including Vesak celebrations and spiritual education.

4. Klenteng and Other Places of Worship

  • Tien Kok Sie Temple – A historic Chinese temple located near Pasar Gede, serving the Confucian and Chinese-Indonesian communities.
  • The city also hosts a variety of smaller places of worship and interfaith communities, reflecting its inclusive and pluralistic spirit.

Diversity and Tolerance

Solo is widely recognized as a cultural city that embraces religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence. Students of all faiths can freely and safely practice their religion in a supportive environment. This makes Solo and Solo Baru a harmonious and welcoming place to live, study, and grow—especially for students coming from diverse backgrounds.