Salatiga
Salatiga is a city in Central Java province, Indonesia. It covers an area of and had a population of 192,322 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2024 was 198,971. Located between the cities of Semarang and Surakarta, and administratively an independent city enclaved within Semarang Regency, it sits at the foot of Mount Merbabu and Mount Telomoyo, and has a relatively cool climate due to its elevated position. Salatiga is a part of the Semarang metropolitan area.
Etymology
Salatiga is thought to be named either after the goddess of Trisala, or after the three wrongs done to the first king of Semarang.In the first explanation, the people of the village celebrate the goddess of Siddhadewi, who is mentioned in the Monolith of Plumpungan. Siddhadewi was also called Trisala, so the village was called Trisala and in the years to come became Salatri and eventually Salatiga.
The second explanation is based on the story of Ki Ageng Pandanaran, the first regent of Semarang, who was robbed by three muggers, and he thus named the location Salah Telu. Salah means wrong in both Indonesian and Javanese. Telu is Low Javanese for three, spelled is tiga in both the more refined Middle/High Javanese. Hence the name Salatiga from Salah Tiga.
History
The official birth date of Salatiga is 24 July 750 A.D.. The scroll Monolith of Plumpungan by King Bhanu, declares May you be happy! All the people and designated village of Hampran a Perdikan village . "Çrirastuswasti Prajabyah" is the official motto of Salatiga as written in the government seal.In 1746, the Dutch East India Company built De Hersteller fort in Salatiga because Salatiga was strategically located at the intersection between Semarang, Surakarta and Magelang.
On 1 July 1917 the village of Salatiga was designated as a stads gemeente or small town by the Dutch East Indies government. In the colonial era, Salatiga was stratified by race. The Europeans lived near the city centre, at the Toentangscheweg leading to Semarang and also near to Dutch plantations in the Salatiga Afdeling. The Chinese were based near the trading centre, the Kalicacing Market, at the Soloscheweg. Native people were bound to live outside the European and Chinese communities. The education system was divided accordingly, with different schools for the Europeans, the Chinese and the natives. Salatiga was led by a burgermeester, assisted by College van Burgermeester en Wethouders. There was a legislative body, the Stadsgemeenteraad; however, its membership was not proportional, with 8 seats for the Europeans, 1 seat for the Chinese, and only 2 seats for the natives who form the majority of the people. The economy of Salatiga was hampered by the world economic depression of the 1930s. To reduce the city's spending the salaries of government officials were cut by up to 15%. Salatiga had an important economic role as a hinterland to Semarang, providing agricultural products like coffee, rubber, cacao, cotton, spices, tobacco, wheat and vegetables to Semarang to be processed.
Supported by geographical factors, its mostly mild climate and its luxurious buildings with Indies architecture, Salatiga's beauty was well known during the Dutch colonisation, even it was called De Schoonste Stad van Midden-Java.
Administration
Before 1992, Salatiga comprised a single administrative district, the Salatiga District. According to Government Regulation No. 69 of 1992, 13 villages from Semarang Regency were moved into Salatiga, and Salatiga District was dissolved. There are now four districts: Argomulyo, Tingkir, Sidomukti, and Sidorejo. These are tabulated below with their population at the 2010 Census and 2020 Census, together with the official estimates as at mid 2024. The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centes, the number of administrative villages within each district, and its post codes.| Kode Wilayah | Name of District | Area in km2 | Pop'n Census 2010 | Pop'n Census 2020 | Pop'n Estimate mid 2024 | Admin centre | No. of villages | Post codes |
| 33.73.03 | Argomulyo | 18.14 | 40,101 | 49,295 | 51,376 | Randuacir | 6 | 50732-50736 |
| 33.73.02 | Tingkir | 10.43 | 39,871 | 45,971 | 47,206 | Sidorejo Kidul | 7 | 50741-50746 |
| 33.73.04 | Sidomukti | 10.80 | 38,756 | 44,237 | 45,634 | Mangunsari | 4 | 50721-50724 |
| 33.73.01 | Sidorejo | 15.61 | 51,604 | 52,819 | 54,755 | Sidorejo Lor | 6 | 50711-50716 |
| Total | 54.98 | 170,332 | 192,322 | 198,971 | Sidomukti | 23 |
Bordering Salatiga are the following districts of Semarang Regency:
- To the North: Pabelan and Tuntang
- To the South: Getasan and Tengaran
- To the East: Pabelan and Tengaran
- To the West: Tuntang and Getasan
Geography
Salatiga is located south of Semarang and north of Surakarta. Its elevation is between 450-800 metres. Salatiga has a tropical monsoon climate in the Köppen climate classification with the average rainfall of per year, the highest temperature in October and the lowest in January.Demographics
, Salatiga had a population of 192,322; 95,025 of them were males and 97,297 were females. The official estimate as at mid 2024 was 198,971.Religion
, Islam was the most practised religion in Salatiga, followed by Protestantism and Catholicism. Other religions make up less than 1% of the population. Salatiga is repeatedly called "one of the most tolerant cities in Indonesia" and is one of the few cities in Java to hold outdoor Christian festivals during Christmas.On Christmas, an event is held where tens of thousands of congregates from 96 churches within the city gather to worship and celebrate Christmas together in Lapangan Pancasila. The main cause for this event is to tighten the relationship between the churches. Even though it is meant to promote a feeling of unity in the Christian community, the service is open to the public for anyone to join, giving Christmas time a more beautiful sentiment.
Ethnicity
Salatiga is mainly inhabited by the Javanese, with a sizeable minority of Chinese Indonesians and some Bataks from North Sumatra. As a university town, it also hosts an assembly of other ethnicities from as far as Borneo and New Guinea. In total, there are about 30 ethnicities in Salatiga.Economy
Salatiga’s economy rate increased by 22.38% from 2014-2016. About 2 billion rupiah from the data collected in 2016.From lowest to highest divided according to regions, Argomulyo with the lowest economy. Sidomukti with Rp 424,301.65, Tingkir with Rp 541,630.14, and the highest, Sidorejo, with Rp 697,593,54.
There is an emerging processing industry that includes textile, tires and animal slaughter in Salatiga. In 2000, this industry contributes Rp. 119.76 billion to the economy of Salatiga. Salatiga is located at the intersection to and from Semarang, Surakarta and Yogyakarta, benefiting its trade sector. In 2000, the trade sector contributes Rp 109 billion to the economy of Salatiga. The following are examples of industries within each category in Salatiga:
- Food
- * PT. Charoen Pokphand
- *
- * Cv. Juara Food Industry
- * Perusahaan Abon Abadi SS
- Beverage
- *
- *
- * PT. Globalindo Perkasa
- Building materials
- *
- * PT. Trikartika Megah Salatiga
- PT. Agric Amarga Jaya
- PT. Daya Manungal Textiles – Damatex)
-
Cuisine
Ronde Sekoteng Jago
This dessert is one of the most popular dishes in Salatiga. Ronde sekoteng jago is made of 9 different ingredients which consist of ginger, sugar, ronde, dried fruits, sagu delima, kolang-kaling, and seaweed. That variety of ingredients makes ronde sekoteng jago a unique, delicious and popular choice.Tumpang Koyor
Tumpang Koyor is an original food from Salatiga that is loved and enjoyed by locals. Tumpang Koyor is made from beef and brisket fat and cooked with various spices. Tumpang Koyor is a popular dish in Salatiga, therefore, you can easily find tumpang koyor anywhere in Salatiga. The price of one portion of tumpang koyor is around Rp 15,000 – Rp 35,000.Enting Enting Gepuk
Enting enting gepuk is an original, and unique light food/snack from Salatiga. Enting Enting Gepuk featured peanuts as its main ingredient. Enting Enting Gepuk in its triangular prism shape, and wrapped in paper is a Salatiga specialty. The flavor of it is sweet, tasty, a little savory, with a crunchy and crumbly texture, and the distinctive taste of peanut is very dominant.Keripik Paru
Keripik Paru is a popular snack from Salatiga that is loved by Javanese people. Keripik Paru can be categorized as snack as well as a side dish. Keripik Paru is made from cow’s lung that has been thinly sliced then fried in a seasoned flour. People might be tricked by the appearance keripik paru before they taste its delicious savory flavor.Government Office
Mayor's Office is located on Jl. Letjen Sukowati No. 74, Salatiga, Jawa Tengah, 50724.Regional House of Representatives Office is located on Jl. Sukowati No. 51, Kalicacing, Sidomukti, Salatiga, 50724
Courthouse is located on Jl. Veteran No. 6, Ledok, Kec. Argomulyo, Salatiga, Jawa Tengah, 50732.
Class 1B Salatiga Religious Court is located on Jl. Lingkar Selatan, RT.014/RW.005, Jagalan, Cebongan, Kec. Argomulyo, Salatiga, Jawa Tengah, 5073.
Civil Registry Service Office is located on Jl. Pemuda No. 2, Salatiga. The role of the Service Office is to assist the Mayor in the performance of government affairs under the jurisdiction of the city in the field of population administration and civil registration, as well as in the tasks of assistance assigned to the region. Following is the contact info: Ph. 312650, Email: disdukcapil@salatiga.go.id.
Education Office is located on Jl. LMU Adisucipto No. 2, Salatiga. Following is the contact info: Ph. 324979, Fax. 324844.
Public Health Office is located on Jl. Hasanudin No. 110 A, Mangunsari, Sidomukti, Salatiga, Jawa Tengah, 50721 The role of the Service Office is to assist the Mayor in the performance of government affairs which fall under the health authority of the Region and to assist the tasks assigned to the Region in the area of health.
Youth and Sports Office is located on Jl. LMU Adi Sucipto No. 2, Salatiga, 50711.
Department of Tourism and Culture is located on Jl. Diponegoro No.37, Salatiga, Sidorejo, Kec. Sidorejo. The Office of Culture and Tourism is responsible for carrying out the governmental affairs of the city of Salatiga in the cultural and tourism sector on the basis of the concept of regional autonomy. They have the authority to grant permits relating to cultural fields, such as cultural events, the conversion of historic buildings and others. Following is the contact info: Ph. 3432437.
Transportation Service Office is located on Jl. Magersari No.166, Tegalrejo, Kec. Argomulyo, Salatiga, 50724.
Women's Empowerment and Child Safety Office is located on Jl. Hasanudin No. 114 B Salatiga.
Office of Manpower is located on Jl. Ki Penjawi No.12a, Sidorejo Lor, Sidorejo, Salatiga, 50714.
Communication and Information Technology Office is located on Letjend., Jl. Sukowati No.51, Kalicacing, Sidomukti, Salatiga, 50724.