Trifter

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

Entrance to Kasepuhan Palace – Image by Author

There are 4 palaces for 4 sultanates in Cirebon, Kasepuhan and Kanoman that are now open for public, Keprabon and Kachirebonan Palaces. The largest, oldest and most beautiful is the Kasepuhan. The architecture is a mixture of European, Chinese and Arabian. It also holds the largest historical collection including a famous royal carriage known as the “Singa Barong”. Impressive collections such as old gamelan orchestras, traditional fabrics, and royal weapons are also displayed in the Palace.

Inside Kasepuhan Palace – Image by Author

The second biggest Palace is the Kanoman. Only walking distance from the Kasepuhan, this palace is also used as museum. The architecture and collections are very much the same with the Kasepuhan. A traditional market known as the Kanoman Market can be found at the entrance of the palace. It is an interesting experience to walk through this market and find a lively local atmosphere.  The other two palaces are relatively small and look just like ordinary old houses.

Old City of Cirebon

Besides the Palaces, many historical buildings are scattered around the city, as old as the history of the city itself. The most notable is The Great Mosque “Sang Cipta Rasa” which is located near Kasepuhan palace. Interestingly enough the architecture of this mosque is purely Javanese and the structure is made entirely of woods. Places of worship for Chinese inhabitant can be found in the Northern part of the city, near Cirebon Port.One which is very beautiful is Vihara Goddess of Mercy (Dewi Welas Asih).

Mosque Sang Cipta Rasa – Image by Author

Vihara Dewi Welas Asih – Image by Author

Other places worth seeing are many old “Indisch” styled buildings that lies from the centre of the city to the north. Among them are the Town Hall Building, Bank of Indonesia, British American Tobacco Office, Post Office, Saint Joseph Church, Railway Station and many others.

BAT Office – Image by Author

Bank of Indonesia Building – Image by Author

Natural Tourism

Places of natural beauty in Cirebon are: the Sunyaragi Cave, a wide peaceful park with scattered Hindu styled buildings; the Darma Dam, that offers beautiful lake scenery and Plangon Park, the forest of the monkeys.

Culinary Adventure

Cirebon has many traditional cuisines. One must-tried dish is Jamblang Rice. Wrapped in teakwood leaf, this is a steam rice served with several assortments. Other delicious cuisines areLengko Rice, rice served with bean sprouts, fried tofu and fermented soybean cake; traditional curry known as Empal Gentong; Tahu Gejrot, fried tofu topped with red sugar; Docang, rice cake served with sour vegetable soup and Kalong satay.

Nasi Jamblang – Image by Author

Cirebon is also known for its variety of shrimp-made products such as crackers and shrimp paste. The shrimp paste’s aroma is not very nice and some people might not like the smell but it tasted delicious Other must tried crackers are Mlarat, crackers made of tapioca flour fried in hot sand; Intip, the rice crackers and Klitik, crackers made of corn.

Traditional crackers – Image by Author

Souvenirs

The most famous souvenir of Cirebonis Batik Trusmi. Trusmi, a village 5kms from the city is the centre of local batik production. Batik is a traditional colorful piece of textile paint with natural motif. In traditional Javanese culture batik is an art full of life philosophy.

Trusmi Batik – Image by Author

Other interesting souvenirs include glass painting, Cirebon Mask and Rattan craft.  Cirebon’s glass painting had been known since 17th century.

Places to stay
You won’t have difficuilties in finding places to stay. Budget hotels to five star hotels are all available in Cirebon.

How to get there

Image via Wikipedia

You can get there by bus or train from Jakarta. The later is more recommended. The train ticket from Jakartato Cirebon is only around USD 5 – 8. It will take about 4 hours ride. Upon reaching Cirebon, you can see paddy field from your train window, strected as far as your eyes can see.

Paddy field – Image by Author