Must-See Indonesia: Cirebon, Historical City in West Java

Where is it

Cirebon, also spelled as Tjirebon or Cheribon (Dutch), Charabom (Portuguese) or Cerbon (Sundanese) is a city in West Java province, Indonesia. It is located on Java Island’s Northern Coast, approximately 297 km from Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia.The name Chirebon comes from the word “chi” means water or river and “rebon” means shrimp. The city gets its name because of the abundance of fresh water shrimp found in local rivers.

Image via Wikipedia

History

Based on old manuscript written by a Hindu monk, Prince Bujangga Manik, who travelled across Java and Bali in the 16th century, the city was founded in the 13thcentury by Ki Gedeng Alang-Alang as part of Padjajaran Kingdom, the biggest kingdom in West Java at the time. The seaport of Cirebon, was one of the most important harbor and main entry to the fertile Java Island

Prince Cakrabumi, the Moslem successor of Ki Gedeng Alang-Alang set up a rebel against the Hindu Padjajaran Kingdom and built a new Sultanate with Muara Jati as its capital.Under his reign, Cirebon’s influence stretched far into South East Asia. For 2 centuries afterward, the throne to the kingdom was passed from generation to generation peacefully. However, in 16thcentury, following Dutch invasion, the tension between powerful kingdoms in Java Island increased and so did the contest for power amongst members of Cirebon royal family. Cirebon was divided into three small sultanates: the Kasepuhan, Kanoman and Kaprabon each led by a sultan. In the 18thcentury, worsened by the Ducht’s “devide et impera” strategy, the Kanoman Sultanate was further divided into 2 sultanates, the Kanoman and the Kacirebonan.

In the 20th century, following Indonesia’s independence from the Dutch, Cirebon was made the territory of Indonesia.

What to see

You can enjoy historical trips around the city, have culinary adventure, buy art and craft souvenirs, and enjoy the region’s natural beauty.

Royal Palaces