Trenggalek, East Java - Deep within the lush forests of Mount Wilis in Trenggalek, East Java, lies a secluded village preserving remnants of the Dutch colonial era. Known as Dillem Wilis, this remote settlement boasts well-preserved European-style structures that have now become a historical tourist attraction.
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| source: suarajatimpost.com |
Though isolated, the area has been transformed into the Dillem Wilis Agricultural Technology Park, an agrotourism site blending mountain scenery with colonial architecture. Visitors can explore historical relics, including water turbines, antique cannons, and old bridges, evoking nostalgia for the plantation era.
The village traces its origins to 1929, when Meneer van Dilem, a Dutchman, established a coffee plantation and dairy farm on the slopes of Mount Wilis. Remarkably, the colonial-era coffee factory still operates today, especially during harvest season.
Originally inhabited by 23 Dutch families, the village gradually saw its European settlers depart, replaced by Javanese locals. While the land remains government-owned, residents are allowed to occupy it free of charge, albeit without formal ownership rights.
More than just a silent witness to history, Dillem Wilis now stands as a unique tourist destination, offering a blend of natural beauty, colonial heritage, and living agricultural traditions.