Exploring the Uniqueness of Cirebon City

Cirebon is one of major cities in West Java province. It is a port city on northern coast of West Java. It is around 250 km to the east of Jakarta and located on the cross road to Central Java, as well as to Southern Java. When driving eastern-ward of Java Island through northern coast, Cirebon is a must city to pass by, especially when traveling by train. Cirebon is also accessible by air transportation.

Culturally, Cirebon is unique.  Its location on the north coast of the island of Java which is the border between Central Java and West Java, making it a port and a "bridge" between the Javanese and Sundanese culture so as to create a culture unique culture that is not dominated culture Cirebon Javanese and Sundanese culture.

Originally, the word "Cirebon" comes from Javanese word sarumban. Cirebon was a small hamlet, then grew into a bustling village and later named as Caruban (Carub in Cirebon language means unite). It was named as such because there was a mixed community made up of immigrants from various nationalities including Sundanese, Javanese, Chinese, and the Arabians. The pronunciation of the word Caruban was, then, changed again into Carbon and then Cerbon (wikipedia). 

Cirebon is also known with the nick name Kota Udang or, the Shrimp City.In addition to the above mention, the word Cirebon also because since the beginning of the livelihood of most people are fishermen, then developed the work to catch fish and rebon (small shrimp) along the water on the coast.Alternatively, it could be derived from the Sundanese words of "Ci" (water or river) and "Rebon" ("shrimp").

Besides, Cirebon is known as Kota Wali or  a Saint  City. It is called as such because in the early propagation of Islam in Java, in a place, now known as Cirebon,  one of Wali Songo or Nine Saints called Sunan Gunung Jati made Cirebon as the center Islamic teaching.  At the time he was the  Sultan of Cirebon and reigned from 1479 - 1568. 

The legacy of Cirebon Sultanate is shown by the existence of four Keratons or Palaces in Cirebon City. These palaces are Keraton Kasepuhan, Keraton Kanoman, Keraton kacirebonan, and Keraton Keprabon.  The four palaces have a common thread in term of architecture design and history. They all have a blend of architectural elements from Islamic architecture, China, and the Netherlands.

Keraton Kasepuhan Cirebon.

Of all, Kasepuhan Palace is the grandest and best-preserved palace in Cirebon. Meaning in every corner of the famous architecture was the most historic keratonini. The front page of this palace surrounded by red brick walls and there is a marquee therein.

This palace has a museum that is quite complete and contain heirlooms and paintings of the royal collection. One collection of sacred namely Singa Barong train. This train is no longer used and is only issued to each 1 Syawal bath. The inside of this palace consists of a main building which is white. It poses a living room, bedroom and throne.

Kanoman Palace was the center of civilization Cirebon Sultanate, which later split into Kanoman, Kasepuhan Palace, Kacirebonan palace, and the palace Keprabon. The greatness of Islam in West Java can not be separated from Cirebon. Sunan Gunung Jati is the person responsible for spreading Islam in West Java, so talk about Cirebon not be separated from the figure Sharif Hidayatullah or Sunan Gunung Jati.

Sunan Gunung Jati also left his mark which is still standing upright, the trail was named Kraton Kanoman. Kanoman still holds obey the customs and pepakem, of whom carry the tradition Grebeg Shawwal, a week after Eid and visit the grave of an ancestor, Sunan Gunung Jati in the village of Astana, North Cirebon. Historic relics in Kanoman closely associated with religious symbols of Islam are keen to do Sunan Gunung Jati, also known as Syarif Hidayatullah.

Kanoman palace complex which has an area of approximately 6 hectares is located behind the market in this Kraton sultan to twelve named Raja Muhammad Emiruddin family along. Kraton Kanoman an extensive complex, which consists of twenty-seven ancient buildings. one of them named ward Witana saung which is the forerunner of the Palace of almost five times the football field.

In this palace there are Sunan Gunung Jati goods, such as two trains named Paksi Naga Liman and Jempana well-preserved and stored in the museum. Burak shape, namely animal driven by Prophet Muhammad when he ascended. Not far from the train, there Jinem wards, or Hall for Receiving guests, the coronation of the sultan and giving the blessing of an event such as the birth of the prophet. And in the middle of the palace there is a building complex of buildings named Siti Hinggil.

The interesting thing from the palace in Cirebon is the original porcelain plates decorate the walls of China who became all the palaces in Cirebon. Not only in the palace, ceramic plates were scattered in almost all the historic sites in Cirebon. And no less important royal palace in Cirebon is always facing north. And in the yard there is a statue of a tiger as a symbol of King Siliwangi. In front there is always a square palace square to the people gathered and the market as an economic center in the east of the palace there is always a mosque.

The third palace is Kacirebonan Palace. Kecirebonan palace was built on 1800 AD, this palace housed many historical relics such as Keris, Puppet, fixtures War, Gamelan and others.As well as Palace Kasepuhan and Kanoman, Keraton Kecirebonan also maintain, preserve and implement customs and ceremonies such amulet Pajang ceremony and so on.Kreaton Kacirebonan located in the village area Pulasaren District of Pekalipan, exactly 1 km southwest of Keraton kasepuhan and approximately 500 meters south Kanoman.

The last is Keraton Keprabon. This palace like the above mentioned three palaces has a typical combined elements of Arabic architecture, China, and also the Dutch into one. Keraton is facing north and has a mosque and also the square as a meeting place. Moreover, in this Keprabon kreaton, you can also find a wide range of heritage that you can see, such as the statue of sorts Siliwangi, and also various other historic objects around the palace.