Information
Landmark: House of SampoernaCity: Surabaya
Country: Indonesia
Continent: Asia
House of Sampoerna, Surabaya, Indonesia, Asia
Overview
Tucked away in Surabaya, East Java, the House of Sampoerna draws visitors with its blend of museum exhibits and vibrant cultural displays, from the scent of clove cigarettes to the sight of antique machinery, likewise it offers a deep dive into the history of Sampoerna, Indonesia’s most iconic kretek brand, bringing to life the rich heritage and everyday rhythms tied to the clove-scented world of the cigarette trade.Set inside a stately colonial-era building with sun-faded shutters, it ranks among Surabaya’s top attractions and draws anyone with a love for history, then the House of Sampoerna, a museum and cultural center dedicated to the kretek industry and the Sampoerna family legacy, sits at Taman Sampoerna No. Believe it or not, 6 in Surabaya, East Java; established in 2003 and owned by PT HM Sampoerna Tbk, part of Philip Morris International, it occupies a building first erected in 1862 as a Dutch-run orphanage with cool, echoing halls that still hint at its past, alternatively in 1932, Liem Seeng Tee, founder of Sampoerna, bought it and transformed the area into a cigarette factory, where the sharp scent of tobacco filled the air.Today, it’s part museum, part cultural hub, and still a factory where the scent of fresh wood lingers in the air, at the same time main highlights and standout features, like the crisp, bright display.It seems, The museum tells the story of the Sampoerna family, the rise of Indonesia’s kretek cigarette trade, and the company’s own journey-right down to the faint scent of clove that lingers in the air, as well as highlights include Liem Seeng Tee’s Story, tracing the Sampoerna founder’s path from a young immigrant from China to the head of a brand known in homes across Indonesia; Kretek History, which explores how cloves and tobacco came together to create the country’s signature cigarette; and Artifacts and Memorabilia, featuring antique hand-crank rolling machines, faded advertising posters, and personal keepsakes from the Sampoerna family.You’ll also notice the Packaging Evolution display, with boxes and tins from different decades showing shifts in style and marketing, along with upstairs, the production floor hums as visitors watch workers deftly hand-roll cigarettes in neat rows, sort of On this floor, more than 300 women work quickly and with remarkable precision, their fingers flicking and folding each cigarette into neat paper tubes, also in just one hour, they can roll up to 325 cigarettes, each packed tight and smooth-a quick, precise display of skill.Three, then the building is a Dutch colonial treasure, with soaring ceilings, stately pillars, and intricate carvings that catch the light, moderately Its red brick walls and crisp white columns give the area a warm, welcoming charm, equally important number four.Funny enough, The museum features a gallery and art space where rotating exhibits bring in bursts of local color-paintings, photographs, and cultural pieces that change with the season, consequently number five sat there, plain and sharp, like a digit freshly inked on a page, in some ways The on-site café serves hot coffee, chilled drinks, and light snacks in a warm, inviting space where the scent of fresh pastries lingers, as a result after wandering through the museum, it’s the perfect spot to rest-maybe with a cool drink in hand.As it happens, The gift shop offers one-of-a-kind finds, from Sampoerna-branded shirts to hand-carved Javanese masks and jars of local snacks, after that kretek cigarettes, with their sweet clove aroma, remain a cherished symbol in Indonesia, blending time-honored tradition with modern life, to some extent Step inside the museum and you’ll discover how deeply kretek is woven into Indonesian life, from its sweet clove scent to its role in festivals, not only that the cigarette industry has long powered parts of the economy, giving work to thousands and sending cultural exports far beyond the country’s shores.Practical information follows, also you’ll find the museum at Taman Sampoerna No. 6, Surabaya, East Java-just a quick ten‑minute ride from the city center, then it’s open every day from 9 a.m. To 6 p.m, with live production tours running Monday through Saturday during work hours, while entry’s free, and guided tours often cost nothing or just a small fee.The building’s wheelchair‑friendly, and there’s parking out front, simultaneously getting there’s simple by car, taxi, or local transport.Ride-hailing apps like Gojek and Grab make getting around easy, and nearby you can step into the red-and-gold Cheng Hoo Mosque, stand before the towering Surabaya Heroes Monument honoring the Battle of Surabaya, or wander the lively markets of the Arab Quarter, to boot the House of Sampoerna offers a rare glimpse into Indonesia’s kretek industry and the Sampoerna family legacy-watch workers hand-roll cigarettes, admire the graceful colonial architecture, browse changing art exhibits, and do it all for free.It’s more than a museum; it’s a walk through the nation’s industrial roots and cultural soul, meanwhile it weaves together learning, skilled hands, and rich tradition in a setting that still smells faintly of polished wood.Whether you’re drawn to centuries-timeworn temples, the curve of a carved archway, or just the vibrant pulse of Indonesian life, this destination promises an experience you won’t forget.
Author: Tourist Landmarks
Date: 2025-09-12
