Gereja Ayam : The Chicken Church

Gereja Ayam is a “prayer house” often referred to as a church in the area of Magelang on the island of Java in Indonesia. The structure is constructed in the shape of a dove, but instead reminds many onlookers of a hen, which is why the locals have taken to calling it the ‘ chicken church’, a name by which the building is often known across the internet.

The building was built during the 1990s by Daniel Alamsjah, who claimed to have been inspired by God to build a prayer house through a dream he had in 1989. Alamsjah is Christian, but envisioned Gereja Ayam as a place to welcome followers of any religion for prayer or meditation.

Due to financial difficulties and local resistance, the construction was never finished. It was halted in 2000 and the building had largely been left to deteriorate. Today, it’s been cleaned up and turned into a proper tourist attraction. Local artists have covered the inner walls with vibrant murals showing local mythology and history and there’s a small cafe nestled within the chicken’s rear that sells traditional, tasty treats. You can even climb up to the top of the bird’s head for amazing 360-degree views.