Medan is the capital of North Sumatra province in Indonesia. The city has about 2.5 million inhabitants and this is the third largest city in the country. I had never heard before I go in January for an interview. A brief stay of two days that I could visit a little (at least the center). We can not say it is a great attraction. There is quite warm (32'C during my visit) and wet, the sea is far more (approximately 20 km). Its main attraction seems to lie in its many shops.
was my first visit to Indonesia, a country I had long dreamed. The arrival at Polonia Airport, located in the city, is the first shock. Especially after transit to the airport in Kuala Lumpur which I'll talk soon. It was a bit like arriving in a small provincial town of the 50s. Moreover, I felt like the only western tourist in the area. On my first night on the town I was also interviewed by a group of young students and sympathetic (in a rather English summary), for a school work it seems. I realized that I was a rare specimen in these parts.
Medan was founded in the late 16th century and was the seat of the Sultanate of Deli. We can also visit some of the sultan's palace, the Maimun Palace, built by an Italian architect in the late 19th century.
The great mosque of Al-Mashun, designed in 1906 by an architect of Amsterdam in the Moorish style, is another important building in Medan. We must also mention the famous water tower, but rather ugly symbol of the city, located near my hotel.
Medan was mainly developed in the 19th century during the Dutch colonization, whereas several tobacco plantations were built in the region. The city was then transformed into administrative and commercial center. Much of colonial architecture that remains from this period is located in the area Kesawan Square. One can still see some houses close in Dutch colonial style.
also admire a large house rather eclectic style, built for a wealthy Chinese merchant (above). It also remains bâtments several details in the trend "art deco".
not forget the Bank of Indonesia to the neo-classical and post office built by the Dutch in the 30's.
The center is not large and it is easy to explore on foot. It can also borrow a multiple of rickshaws (known locally becaks - mixing and sidecar rickshaw). However, sidewalks are often busy with all sorts of vehicles and must zigzag between obstacles (as in India). The only real danger to a pedestrian is in heavy traffic and the many gaping holes in sidewalks.
Another curiosity: the large wood panels installed on main roads, on which are inscribed in colored paper wishes of happiness for weddings, celebrations or announcements or greeting for Chinese New Year (from what I 'I understand, my Indonesian is rather limited).
After quickly exhausted the attractions of Medan and its "wonders" of architecture, I took the opportunity to do as the premises ie a little shopping in the many malls in the center. Especially at the chic and modern Sun Plaza located in a more recent one which recalls the corrugations of the facings of the famous museum in Bilbao.
And face which I also was surprised to discover, at the exit, the main Hindu temple in the city in a different style for less. I leave you the pleasure of admiring her exuberant ornamentation
And finally ... This brief overview of Medan an architectural detail here much more contemporary.
Medan is the capital of North Sumatra province in Indonesia. The city has about 2.5 million inhabitants and this is the third largest city in the country. I had never heard before I go in January for an interview. A brief stay of two days that I could visit a little (at least the center). We can not say it is a great attraction. There is quite warm (32'C during my visit) and wet, the sea is far more (approximately 20 km). Its main attraction seems to lie in its many shops. 
was my first visit to Indonesia, a country I had long dreamed. The arrival at Polonia Airport, located in the city, is the first shock. Especially after transit to the airport in Kuala Lumpur which I'll talk soon. It was a bit like arriving in a small provincial town of the 50s. Moreover, I felt like the only western tourist in the area. On my first night on the town I was also interviewed by a group of young students and sympathetic (in a rather English summary), for a school work it seems. I realized that I was a rare specimen in these parts. 
Medan was founded in the late 16th century and was the seat of the Sultanate of Deli. We can also visit some of the sultan's palace, the Maimun Palace, built by an Italian architect in the late 19th century. 
The great mosque of Al-Mashun, designed in 1906 by an architect of Amsterdam in the Moorish style, is another important building in Medan. We must also mention the famous water tower, but rather ugly symbol of the city, located near my hotel. 
Medan was mainly developed in the 19th century during the Dutch colonization, whereas several tobacco plantations were built in the region. The city was then transformed into administrative and commercial center. Much of colonial architecture that remains from this period is located in the area Kesawan Square. One can still see some houses close in Dutch colonial style. 
also admire a large house rather eclectic style, built for a wealthy Chinese merchant (above). It also remains bâtments several details in the trend "art deco". 
not forget the Bank of Indonesia to the neo-classical and post office built by the Dutch in the 30's. 
The center is not large and it is easy to explore on foot. It can also borrow a multiple of rickshaws (known locally becaks - mixing and sidecar rickshaw). However, sidewalks are often busy with all sorts of vehicles and must zigzag between obstacles (as in India). The only real danger to a pedestrian is in heavy traffic and the many gaping holes in sidewalks. 
Another curiosity: the large wood panels installed on main roads, on which are inscribed in colored paper wishes of happiness for weddings, celebrations or announcements or greeting for Chinese New Year (from what I 'I understand, my Indonesian is rather limited). 
After quickly exhausted the attractions of Medan and its "wonders" of architecture, I took the opportunity to do as the premises ie a little shopping in the many malls in the center. Especially at the chic and modern Sun Plaza located in a more recent one which recalls the corrugations of the facings of the famous museum in Bilbao. 
And face which I also was surprised to discover, at the exit, the main Hindu temple in the city in a different style for less. I leave you the pleasure of admiring her exuberant ornamentation 
And finally ... This brief overview of Medan an architectural detail here much more contemporary. 
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