VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Photo credit: Airlangga University

Every November 10, the Indonesian people commemorate Heroes' Day. The city of Surabaya is often called the City of Heroes because of the long history of Indonesian heroes in fighting against colonialism in this city, especially in the battle of Surabaya in November1945.

Kalisosok Prison is an old prison located in the city of Surabaya and has been standing since the early 19th century. It was built during the Dutch colonial government led by Governor General Herman Willem Daendels, on September 1, 1808.

The name Kalisosok prison is taken from the name of the place where it is located, which is in Kalisosok village in the north of the city of Surabaya.

Kalisosok Prison has been standing since the Dutch colonial era and continued to be used until the Republic era. The Prison has gone through many series of historical events of the nation, especially the Surabaya residences in the effort for Indonesian independence.

Kalisosok Prison is also a place of detention for important figures of the Indonesian nation who fought for the country’s independence . Such as K.H. Mas Mansyur (1896-1946), a Muhammadiyah figure who along with Sukarno, M. Hatta and Ki Hajar Dewantara were known as Empat Serangkai or the Four Figures of Indonesian independence.

Mas Mansyur had to go to Kalisosok prison, because he actively helped the Surabaya youth movement in resisting the Dutch, and made the Dutch felt the need to get rid of Mas Mansyur by imprisoning him in Kalisosok prison, and finally Mas Mansyur died there in 1946.

Over time, several parts of Kalisosok prison began to show signs of declining. The impact of weather and the age of the building naturally caused damage to the original architecture.

The Surabaya city government finally made this building a cultural heritage that aims to maintain historical values ​​and local wisdom. This is important so that later and future generations can appreciate and understand the roots of the nation's history, and be inspired by the spirit of struggle that was once embedded in this building.

If you are in the City of Heroes, Surabaya, find time to visit the cultural heritage of Kalisosok prison which is also part of the history of Indonesian Independence.