The building stands on a hill, surrounded by forest which has begun to swallow half of its walls. For nearly 20 years, no one came. Then one scene in the film changed everything — and the name ‘Borobudur Chicken Church’ was suddenly in millions of Instagram captions.
Sekilas: Bangunan Apa Ini Sebenarnya?
Sebelum kita menyelami lebih jauh, mari luruskan dulu. Nama yang kamu dengar di mana-mana itu, ‘Gereja Ayam Borobudur’, sejujurnya hanyalah julukan populer dari para wisatawan. Nama resminya adalah Bukit Rhema. Ya, Bukit Rhema, tempat kami berada, di kawasan Borobudur, Magelang, Jawa Tengah.
Just imagine, an iconic building that stands proudly at a height of around 120 meters above sea level, surrounded by expanses of green rice fields that are a feast for the eyes. The distance is not far, only about 3.5 km from the majestic Borobudur Temple. This place is not just a photo destination, but a silent witness to the passage of time, dreams and determination.
Bukan gereja biasa — ini ‘Rumah Doa’ lintas agama
One of the biggest misconceptions about Bukit Rhema is the assumption that it is a Christian church. But, did you know? This building was actually designed as an interfaith ‘House of Prayer’ by its founder, Mr Daniel Alamsjah. This is not a place of worship for a particular denomination, but rather an open space for anyone who wants to pray, reflect, or simply seek peace, whatever their beliefs.
Daniel Alamsjah has an extraordinary vision: a place where everyone can feel welcome and find peace together. Imagine, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the world, there is a place that stands as a symbol of unity and tolerance, far from the barriers of differences. The sensation of being in it, feeling the aura of calm and togetherness, is an experience that you can’t get anywhere else.
Q: Apakah ini benar-benar gereja Kristen?
A: No. This building was designed as an interfaith ‘House of Prayer’ by Daniel Alamsjah—no particular denomination. This is a space open to all.
Awal Mula: Mimpi Daniel Alamsjah (1989)
Kisah sejarah Gereja Ayam Borobudur ini dimulai dari sebuah mimpi yang sangat kuat. Pada tahun 1989, seorang pengusaha Kristen asal Surabaya bernama Daniel Alamsjah mengalami mimpi yang mengubah jalan hidupnya. Dalam mimpinya, ia melihat sebuah bangunan berbentuk merpati yang megah, berdiri di atas bukit, dan menjadi tempat doa bagi semua bangsa.
The dream was so real, so memorable. Daniel Alamsjah felt called to realize this vision. He then looked for a location similar to the one in his dream, and his spiritual adventure began.
Visi rumah doa yang menjangkau semua agama
The vision in Daniel Alamsjah’s mind is not just about building a building. More than that, he envisioned a ‘House of Prayer Borobudur’ which would become a spiritual beacon, a place where every soul could find closeness to the Creator, regardless of religious, ethnic or racial background. This is a vision of unity in diversity, of a home that embraces all.
The search for a location took Daniel to the Menoreh hills, near Borobudur. When he found the hill in Karangrejo Village, he immediately felt that this was the place he saw in his dream. There was a kind of strong inner calling, a feeling that fate had brought him here. A sincere belief, even amidst limitations.
Pembangunan dimulai 1992
With burning enthusiasm and confidence, construction of Bukit Rhema began in 1992. Daniel Alamsjah collected funds and support from various parties, even involving the local community to help with the construction process. This is not a big project funded by a giant corporation, but a personal endeavor driven by faith and dreams.
Secara perlahan, bangunan unik itu mulai menampakkan wujudnya. Dari pondasi hingga dinding, setiap batu yang terpasang adalah simbol harapan. Orang-orang di sekitar mulai bertanya-tanya, bangunan ayam Magelang apa gerangan yang sedang dibangun di atas bukit ini? Semangat gotong royong dan antusiasme kala itu begitu terasa, menjadi bagian tak terpisahkan dari sejarah Gereja Ayam Borobudur yang kini kita kenal.
Mengapa Bentuknya Ayam?
These are the questions that arise most often, and are probably on your mind right now. Why is the building called the ‘House of Prayer’ shaped like a chicken?
Filosofi merpati damai dalam wujud ayam
The interesting fact is, Daniel Alamsjah actually designed this building to resemble a dove, a symbol of peace and the Holy Spirit. However, from a certain point of view, especially for local eyes who are used to roosters, its shape is more like a rooster sitting with a crown on its head. Because of this, the nickname ‘Chicken Church’ stuck closely and became its popular identity.
Try it, if you come directly here, try to find which angle makes this building look like a pigeon, and which angle makes it look like a chicken. This experience itself has become part of your adventure. You will see how perspective can change everything.
Q: Kenapa disebut ‘Gereja Ayam’ padahal bentuknya merpati?
A: From certain angles this building looks more like a rooster than a dove. This popular name emerged from local tourists.
Makna spiritual di balik desain
Despite the ‘chicken’ or ‘dove’ debate, the spiritual meaning behind this design is much deeper. Doves themselves symbolize peace, hope and purity. Daniel Alamsjah wants Bukit Rhema to be a place where people can find inner peace, return to hope, and feel a higher presence.
This philosophy reflects the spirit of inclusivity and unity that is at the core of the vision of this ‘House of Prayer’. Not only about its physical form, but also about the message it wants to convey to the world. This is a reminder that amidst our differences, we can all come together under one roof, searching for the same meaning.
Era Terbengkalai (1996–2015)
Setelah awal yang penuh harapan, perjalanan sejarah Gereja Ayam Borobudur ini memasuki babak yang suram. Pembangunan yang dimulai dengan penuh semangat itu harus terhenti di tengah jalan. Bangunan yang belum selesai itu pun perlahan mulai ditelan oleh alam.
Krisis 1998 dan dampaknya ke pembangunan
The turning point was the economic crisis that hit Indonesia in 1997-1998. The funds originally planned for the construction of Bukit Rhema were also eroded. This project no longer has the resources to continue. Finally, in 1996, construction officially stopped. A big dream has to be postponed, maybe even left to die.
This is what caused the building to be abandoned for almost 20 years, from 1996 to 2015 to be precise. Just imagine, a magnificent building that was supposed to be a symbol of hope, now stands alone, silent and forgotten in the middle of the forest.
20 tahun tersembunyi di hutan
During those two decades, Rhema Hill became a kind of ‘secret’ that only local residents knew about. The building began to grow moss and wild plants, giving it a haunted and mysterious impression. No visitors came, except maybe a few residents who were curious or looking for firewood. He was completely hidden, as if time had stopped turning for him.
Banyak cerita dan mitos yang beredar di kalangan masyarakat tentang “bangunan ayam” ini. Beberapa menganggapnya tempat keramat, ada pula yang takut mendekat. Selama bertahun-tahun, bangunan ini hanya menjadi saksi bisu pergantian musim, hujan, dan panas, menunggu momennya untuk kembali bersinar. Ini adalah babak penting dalam sejarah Gereja Ayam Borobudur yang mengajarkan tentang ketahanan.
Viral karena AADC 2 (2016)
Then, a miracle happened. One film, one scene, changed everything. Rhema Hill, which had been neglected and forgotten for almost 20 years, suddenly became the world’s spotlight.
Satu adegan, jutaan penonton, satu lokasi
In 2016, the film “What’s Up with Love 2” (AADC 2) was released. This film is highly anticipated, and one of the scenes was shot inside the Bukit Rhema building. The iconic scene between Nicholas Saputra and Dian Sastro on the top floor of the building, with the stunning natural scenery of Borobudur as a backdrop, immediately attracted the attention of millions of viewers.
Immediately, people wondered, where is this beautiful location? From there, the name ‘Chicken Church’ began to become widely known, became the talk of the town on social media, and became a traveler’s dream destination. You can search for the scene on YouTube to relive the viral moment.
Dari nyaris nol ke 10.000 pengunjung per bulan
The impact of AADC 2 has been extraordinary. Before it went viral, almost no visitors came to Bukit Rhema. After the film was broadcast, the number of visitors immediately increased drastically, reaching more than 10,000 people per month! From a place that was almost dead, now Bukit Rhema is alive again, even busier than before.
Peristiwa ini menjadi titik balik bagi sejarah Gereja Ayam Borobudur. Daniel Alamsjah dan timnya kemudian berbenah, merapikan area sekitar, dan membuka bangunan ini untuk umum. Kini, kamu bisa dengan bebas menjelajahi setiap sudutnya, naik hingga ke kepala bangunan, dan menikmati pemandangan yang sama dengan yang dinikmati Rangga dan Cinta. Sebuah transformasi yang benar-benar ajaib!
Kalau kamu ingin merencanakan kunjungan ke Borobudur dan sekitarnya, jangan lupa intip Pillar Hub Wisata Sunrise Borobudur kami untuk panduan lengkapnya.
Q: Kapan dibuka untuk umum?
A: After going viral because of AADC 2 in 2016. Previously you could only enter with special permission.
Bukit Rhema Sekarang: Wisata + Gastronomi
After going through various historical ups and downs, Rhema Hill has now risen and become one of the most attractive tourist destinations around Borobudur. It’s not just about the iconic building, but also the overall experience it offers.
Apa saja yang bisa dikunjungi
When you visit Rhema Hill, you can explore the entire building area which has 7 floors. Yes, you can climb the stairs to the head of the ‘chicken’ or ‘pigeon’ to enjoy the spectacular view. From the top, you will be treated to an extraordinary 360 degree panorama: vast expanses of green rice fields, the mighty Menoreh hills, and on a clear day, even the peaks of Merapi-Merbabu will be seen greeting you from a distance.
Jam buka Bukit Rhema adalah 06.30-17.00, jadi kamu punya banyak waktu untuk eksplorasi. Harga tiket masuknya pun terjangkau, hanya Rp 20.000, dan sudah termasuk snack. Ini adalah kesempatan emas untuk merasakan sendiri sensasi berada di dalam bangunan yang penuh cerita ini. Kamu bisa menikmati sunrise Borobudur dari Bukit Rhema, atau bahkan menyaksikan sunset Borobudur yang memukau dari ketinggian ini.
Q: Bisa masuk ke dalam bangunan?
A: Yes. You can go up to the 7th floor (chicken head) via the stairs. The 360 degree view from above is stunning.
Kedai Bukit Rhema: makan dengan view bangunan ikonik
Setelah puas menjelajahi bangunan dan menikmati pemandangan dari puncaknya, perutmu pasti mulai keroncongan, kan? Nah, di komplek yang sama dengan Bukit Rhema, ada tempat yang sempurna untuk mengisi energi: Kedai Bukit Rhema. Kami berada di sini untuk melengkapi pengalaman wisatamu.
Bayangkan, kamu bisa menikmati hidangan lezat dan kopi hangat dengan view langsung ke bangunan ikonik Bukit Rhema, dikelilingi hijaunya sawah dan sejuknya udara pegunungan. Ini adalah pengalaman gastronomi yang tak kalah istimewa. Kedai Bukit Rhema menawarkan berbagai menu lokal yang menggugah selera, cocok untuk sarapan, makan siang, atau sekadar ngopi sore. Ini adalah salah satu Bukit Rhema fakta yang mungkin belum banyak kamu tahu: kami siap menyambutmu dengan kehangatan khas Borobudur.
Q: Apa hubungan Gereja Ayam dengan Kedai Bukit Rhema?
A: Kedai Bukit Rhema is a restaurant in the same complex—so after visiting the building, you can immediately eat here with a view of the rice fields and hills.
Tips Kunjungi Gereja Ayam
Even though its name is worldwide, visiting Rhema Hill or what is popularly known as the Borobudur Chicken Church still requires a little preparation so that your experience is maximized. Firstly, because of its location in the hills, the air can be quite hot during the day. So, come in the morning around opening time (06.30) to enjoy the cool atmosphere and light mist, or in the afternoon before closing to enjoy the breeze and sunset. Don’t forget to bring a hat, sunglasses and enough drinking water, especially if you plan to climb to the top of the building.
Kedua, meskipun jaraknya hanya 3,5 km dari Candi Borobudur, akses jalan menuju Bukit Rhema kadang sedikit menanjak dan berliku. Jika kamu menggunakan kendaraan pribadi, pastikan kondisinya prima. Alternatif lain, kamu bisa menyewa sepeda motor atau menggunakan jasa ojek dari sekitar Borobudur. Untuk kamu yang merencanakan itinerary Borobudur 2 hari 1 malam, Bukit Rhema wajib masuk daftar!
Setelah puas menjelajah dan mengabadikan momen di puncak Bukit Rhema, jangan langsung pulang, ya! Kami tunggu kamu di Kedai Bukit Rhema. Mari nikmati hidangan khas kami sambil bercerita tentang petualanganmu hari ini. Kamu bisa langsung menghubungi kami untuk reservasi atau sekadar bertanya-tanya via WhatsApp: 0857-2577-9520. Atau, intip dulu menu-menu lezat kami di sini: Lihat Menu Kedai Bukit Rhema. Sampai jumpa di Borobudur!
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