LANDMARK OF THE BATU CITY: ALUN ALUN mBATU

“Alun-Alun mBatu” is an iconic landmark of the Batu City.

And of the East Java and is also a symbol of tourist destination in East Java.

Author's interview with an old man living in the Raya Tidar Street, if a Dutchman who lived in Malang
wanted to go to the Batu was famous for the Dutch phrase “Naar Boufen” (Meaning: go up to the high
ground or mountain resort areas).

The Batu area is also known as “De Kleine Zwitserland” Ala Indonesia. At that time, there were known
landmarks of Gunung Putri Tidur which is a combination of three mountains (Mount Panderman - foot,
Mount Kawi-chest and Mount Butak - head). In a glimpse of history it turns out that the Batu city
landmarks change according to the times.

Historical records of changes to this landmark from a blog www.ilhamteguh.com.

In the 17th century it was the office of the Dutch East Indies government office

In 1942 it officially became the new landmark – park areas with the name "Taman Tari"

In the 1970s it was renovated with the building of an apple monument in the middle of the square. At
that time this city was the largest base in Indonesia as a producer of apples. So it is known as Apple City.
Many residents who work as apple farmers.

In 2002, after the stone became an independent city of administration on October 17 2001, the town
square underwent a renovation process become a garden park. The Garden with thousand flowers. This
landmark without forgetting iconic landmark – the big apple monument.

In 2007 after the first elected mayor of Kota Batu, Mr. Imam Kabul. Alun-alun Mbatu was restored to the
city's main identity.
As a landmark located in the center of Batu City, alun-alun Mbatu is also referred to as the zero point of
the city. At present this area has been equipped with various kinds of culinary tourism and several
shopping centers. Every weekend the area is very crowded.

The more days the Batu City becomes even more worthy of being a tourist destination for local and
foreign tourists. Especially with the variety of attractions available in the city of Batu today. Not only
plantation and animal husbandry tours can be enjoyed, even water tourism and education tours for
families are available in Batu City.

No wonder the Dutch used to call him Little Switzerland in Indonesia, or De Kleine Zwitserland. Fertile
soil produces abundant natural wealth. His agricultural and plantation products are undoubtedly well
known to all corners of Indonesia. One characteristic of the results of its plantations is the apple, which is
now used as an icon of this city.