Indonesia
Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto
The Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto is a late 19th-century industrial system built by the Dutch colonial government.
The technological complex was a fully integrated system that covered all steps from coal extraction to the shipment of industrial-quality coal. The mines were worked by local labourers (including forced workers), and the mining town of Sawahlunto grew to 7,000 inhabitants. The site comprises 12 locations, including mines, coal fields, tunnels, a Mining School, a harbour, and a railway system.
Community Perspective: Jarek listed a number of places that are worth a visit and the appropriate geocoordinates, while Bernard managed to visit all components and pointed out more highlights.
Site Info
Official Information
- Full Name
- Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto (ID: 1610)
- Country
- Indonesia
- Status
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Inscribed 2019
Site history
History of Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto
- 2019: Inscribed
- Inscribed
- WHS Type
- Cultural
- Criteria
- ii
- iv
Links
- UNESCO
- whc.unesco.org
All Links
UNESCO.org
- whc.unesco.org — whc.unesco.org/
Community Information
- Community Category
- Secular structure: Factories and industry
Travel Information
Recent Connections
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Perfect Inscriptions
2019 -
Located in a TCC Territory
Sumatra -
Pumping Stations
Ranith Water Pumping Station
Connections of Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto
- Geography
- Trivia
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Built or owned by Dutch
In 1898, coal mining at Soengai Doerian was the biggest mining project operated by the Netherlands colonial government. (AB ev)
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- World Heritage Process
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Perfect Inscriptions
2019
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- Human Activity
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Coal Mining
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Company town
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Sea Ports
Port of Teluk Bayur (formerly Emmahaven)
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- Constructions
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Notable Bridges
Tinggi BridgeSee steemit.com
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Railways
"railway network linking the mines to the coastal facilities" -
Pumping Stations
Ranith Water Pumping Station
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- WHS on Other Lists
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Located in a TCC Territory
Sumatra
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- Timeline
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Built in the 19th Century
Late 19th century (from 1860 on)
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- Science and Technology
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Mines which can be visited underground
Part of core zone in Sawahlunto town is Museum Situs Lubang Tambang Mbah Suro. It is possible to walk for around 500 meters underground. There are plans to extend that.
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News
No news.
Recent Visitors
- Miloš Tašković
- Elisabeth Fransisca Situmorang
- Frederik Dawson
- Zoë Sheng
- Bernard Joseph Esposo Guerrero
- Paul Schofield
- Jarek Pokrzywnicki
Visitors of Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto
Community Reviews
Show full reviewsFrederik Dawson
Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage Of Sawahlunto
Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto (Inscribed)

From the vibrant city of Padang, it was a half day drive tour on one of the most dangerous roads in Indonesia to the town of Sawahlunto. Along the way, I saw old colonial cement plants, sampled many fusions of Indonesian and Dutch dishes in a local restaurant which is opened for almost a century, drank tea from a former Dutch tea plantation. Dutch industrial heritages on exploiting natural resources from Sumatra are everywhere. When I reached Sawahlunto, area of Ombilin Company Town to be precise, it was already dark, so I directly went to stay and sleep at the heritage Ombilin Hotel, the only hotel during colonial for government officers and important company guests.
Next day early morning I walked around the town to see main component of company town such as Santa Barbara Catholic Church and Co-Operative Building which are just opposite the road, both are built in Nieuwe Indische Bouwstijl or Dutch Indies Style that can be seen in many Indonesian old town quarters in Java. The Assembly Hall (Societeit Glück auf) is in ruinous state after fire damage. On the main road of market area, few buildings are worth to visit for its unique architecture, Comedy House and Pek Sin Kek House, both are built in the so-called Sino-Portuguese style, similar to those shophouses in Malaysia and Singapore. On the hill next to market area is the old Sawahlunto Train Station which is now a museum that displayed old steam trains, the historic …
Keep reading 0 commentsBernard Joseph Esposo Guerrero
Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage Of Sawahlunto
Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto (Inscribed)

Tucked deep within the Bukit Barisan mountains, Sawahlunto may not ring a bell to many, but it is a city that is well worth a visit. The two-hour drive from either Padang or Padang Panjang is not short of wonderful sceneries including those offered by Kerinci Seblat National Park, the island’s largest nature reserve.
The detection of coal in Sawahlunto is attributed to the Dutch colonial authorities' efforts to explore and exploit the natural resources of Indonesia (formerly the Dutch East Indies) for economic gain. The attempts by geologists and prospectors in the mid-19th century led to the discovery of significant coal deposits in the region. The coal obtained was found to be of superior quality and the valley, suitable for large-scale mining.
The seemingly endless supply of coal from the site contributed to the industrialization and modernization of the Dutch East Indies and the Netherlands. It powered machineries, railway networks, and ships that played crucial roles in transportation and trade operations during the colonial era. They invested heavily in developing it as a mining town equipped with some of the most advanced technologies of the time, demonstrating a most complete knowledge and technology transfer from Europe to the East.
While deep-bore coal mining in Sawahlunto is no longer as commercially significant as it was during the peak of the industry, declining in the latter part of the 20th century due to the depletion of coal reserves and changing economic conditions, the city was able to preserve …
Keep reading 0 commentsJarek Pokrzywnicki
Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage Of Sawahlunto
Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto (Inscribed)

Site visited in August, 2019, Just a few weeks after inscription. Nice surprise. I managed to see 2 components out of 3: coal storage facilities located in Padang (port of Emmahaven), and mining town Sawahlunto.
Initially visited those storage facilities in Padang – area is not marked by any means – you should use location from a website (exact coordinates 0°59'28.7"S 100°22'51.6"E). Site consists of warehouses, infrastructure and different machineries connected with coal. The whole site looks as unused and a bit neglected for some time but is still fenced – the only access is from western part of Jl Tj. Priuk road. As for August 2019 the site looks as completely unprepared for mass tourism but you can visit all places at your own risk – some areas are not very secure. The site can be reached from Padang central area (around 7 km) by Go Jek or by local public transport (minibuses).
Sawahlunto itself is a small mining town located some 2 – 3 hours from Padang. You can easily use public transport (regular buses are from Jl Dr. Sutomo road), approximately hourly during the day.
The city looks prepared for tourism. There are several hotels (different standard), homestays (there is an office that gather all homestay offers – they can call and reserve such a place for you – standard also different), restaurants, museums, tourist information center – there is a decent map of the area with information in English.
Places not to …
Elisabeth Fransisca Situmorang
Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage Of Sawahlunto
Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto (Inscribed)

The City of Sawah Lunto, around 3-4 hrs from Padang, the capital of West Sumatra, is actually quite a small town. It is an easy day trip starting from Bukittinggi and ending it in Padang (with a close detour to another TWHS, Nagari Sijunjung).
Visited the Goedang Ransum (mass kitchen for the labourer) Museum and one of the Coal Mine. It's really worth to see how the city was alive because of the coal mining exploitation from the Dutch period, how a big deal it was during that time. I must say it is cool experience.
Highly recommended.
Keep reading 0 comments