 Banten Old City is a site that is the remainder of the triumph of the
Islamic kingdom of Banten. Located not far from the city so a trip can
be a full day without needing to stay overnight.
Banten Old City is within about two hours from Jakarta. Exit from the toll booth of East Serang, turn
Parking area surrounded by small shops, we headed to a site called Castle Surosowan. The walls of the castle with red brick construction with a mixture of lime it looks magnificent.
The site is surrounded by a market that is managed by the residents, so we must turn first to find the gate into the fort. Complaints began to appear when we find that access to fortress is locked.
Some visitors try to climb the fortress walls, one of us also participated in climbing. "Wow inside the castle is nice !" she called after successfully reaching over castle walls.
One of the others proposed to look into the Museum of Antiquities Old Banten is located right in front of the Castle Surosowan, while looking for a guide that may assist us in explaining the historical legacy of Islamic Banten Kingdom it.
Museum of Antiquities Banten Lama
The entrance fee into the museum is only Rp 1,000 per person. In this museum we met with Pak Slamet, who later became friends of our trip down the trail in the history of the Islamic kingdom of Banten. Pak Slamet guide patiently, explaining in detail the history of Islamic Banten Kingdom by showing the photographs and props found in the museum.
I looked around and felt a bit disappointed because the museum appears less evocative and less attractive. Historical objects on display looked dusty and look less manicured. A friend said, this museum ought to be more interesting if it made a kind of visual tools that describe in clear and authentic evidence regarding the existence of building the palace at the time.
From several sources I have read, was indeed the history of Islamic Banten Kingdom since the 16th century until the 19th century have not been disclosed in detail until today. The pieces of the history of the Islamic kingdom of Banten still searched for and gathered by historians until now.
But overall, at least the museum has provided an outline description of the history and daily life of residents of Islamic Banten Kingdom in the past.
Surosowan Palace Site
There was finally in the museum tour ends. Now it's time a real tour! Exiting the museum, by reflex I immediately looked up at the sky and was amazed to find gray clouds began to move westward. Blue sky began to appear behind the clouds. Due out drizzle, the wind was much cooler than when we first arrived.
With smile we toward Fort Surosowan. And it turns out Pak Slamet key entrusted by museum guards, and we finally managed to get into the castle! Yippy!
Once the gates opened, we see the rest Surosowan Palace ruins in the fort. Although in ruins, piles of red bricks and rocks are still visible form of a palace building.
From several sources, mentioned that the ruins of the palace area of approximately 3.5 hectares was built in 1552 and formerly the residence of the sultan of Banten. The fort was later destroyed the Netherlands at the time of Islamic Banten Kingdom under the reign of Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa in 1680 fought against the Dutch colonialists. This royal palace was repaired, but then destroyed again in 1813 because at that time the Islamic Kingdom of the last sultan of Banten, Sultan Rafiudin, refusing to submit to the Netherlands.
According to Pak Slamet, once the site is only covered mound until then began to re-excavated and restored in about 1970's until then slowly looked the remains of the palace ruins.
Masjid Agung Banten
After lunch at a shop near the museum, we stopped at Banten Grand Mosque for prayers. Seen various kinds of free traders selling in the mosque. Unfortunately, here we repeatedly asked for donations "unofficial" and eventually interfere with the convenience of visitors who want to worship.
Palace Site Palace Kaibon
Done worship and photographs for a while in front of the mosque tower, we went to the remnants of Kaibon Palace, home to Queen Aisha, the mother of Sultan Syaifudin. The ruins are still visible (somewhat) complete forming a palace palace. In addition to the palace there are canals and large trees. I would imagine this palace was once good and beautiful. But again, this palace was destroyed by the Dutch in 1832 due to a battle between the Kingdom of Banten and the Dutch at that time.
The next goal is to Vihara Avalokitesvara. According to one source, this temple is one of the oldest temples in Indonesia. The existence of this temple is believed to be evidence that at that adherents of different religions can live side by side in peace without significant conflict. It's interesting.
Conditions inside the monastery itself is cool because a lot of shady trees and have a comfortable seat to rest. Pak Slamet told me that in the hallway corridor that connects the monastery buildings to each other have the White Snake saga story reliefs, painted with colorful as aesthetic elements.
Fortress Spellwijk
Satisfied the perimeter of the monastery, we headed to Fort Spellwijk located right in front of this temple. And in front of this temple there are also coconut ice shop that arouse. Unfortunately we do not have time to sample because of being pressured by time.
The fort was once used as a tower monitor Spellwijk directly opposite to the Sunda Strait and also functions as a storage of guns and other defense equipment. However, the site is currently only used as a ground ball by its residents. There we were invited Pak Slamet to enter and observe a tunnel which is said to connect with Palace Surosowan.
(Herajeng Gustiayu)
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