A Day at Banten Lama
Jakarta can be sadly lacking in opportunities for a pleasant day trip out of the city. The traffic, not to mention the crowds, on a visit to Bandung, Bogor or Puncak are enough to put many trippers off while the attractions of factory outlets, tracking down which perfect brownies or hot springs soon fade for people who would certainly like to see in addition to also understand a little more of the country.
Luckily for the day tripper through Jakarta, Banten Lama can be a long way through being a ‘must see’ for any visitor. Most have never heard of the place in addition to also many who have driven past the clearly marked exit along the Jakarta – Merak jalan tol will have no idea what can be there.
which can be a favorite destination with Muslim pilgrims attracted by the famous mosque, Sunday can be especially busy as are religious holidays, although most days, especially early inside morning, the place remains a quiet, unassuming place.
Once upon a time Banten was a thriving port at the heart of South East Asian trade. Spices attracted traders through China, India, Persia in addition to also ultimately Europe turning the port into a 17th century Singapore.
Today, little remains of which heyday. Even the sea, which would certainly have been full of all manner of vessels, has retreated. Instead, what can be left are mere hints of the glory which was once Banten.
Heading north through the tol, the narrow road can be typical Java. Potholed, too narrow for the traffic in addition to also filled with becaks in addition to also angkots while motorcyclists weave their way with impunity between the moving obstacles.
With mini marts in addition to also smaller shop houses supplying the construction industry there can be little to suggest what Banten offers. Until you reach the Kaibon Palace. Just south of a stream, Cibanten, by a railway bridge, the Palace isn’t much to look at; just a pile of stones which provide the outline of what must have once been an impressive abode for Ratu Asiah, the mother of Sultan Syaifuddin before the Dutch leveled which in 1832.
They don’t get which many foreign visitors in addition to also as you proceed you will no doubt receive plenty of stares through curious locals.
A fee must be paid to enter the historic area proper, a man will unfurl himself lazily through his plastic chair by the side of the road, peer in your car in addition to also having a voice rasped through a thousand cigarettes, will tell you how much you owe. Don’t expect a brochure or a smile, hand over your money, he’ll take which with barely a grin before returning to his plastic chair in addition to also next fag.
The first thing you will come across can be the Surosowan Palace; a once mighty affair which was razed to the ground by the Dutch who got upset with the local Sultan. Like the Kaibon, the groundworks remain, the observant can make out the stone steps which would certainly have led down to a pool of sorts although which’s about which.
There can be little inside way of shelter in addition to also as the sun rises which starts to get very hot. A few goats in addition to also chickens will be grazing in in addition to also around the Palace.
The alun alun can be nearby, just after a smaller museum which may or may not be open. No cars are allowed close to the open area although walking can be the best option anyway. Market stalls hem inside narrow lane selling all manner of Islamic souvenirs, most venerating the Wali Songo, nine saints who are said to have helped Islam settle on the island of Java.
The mosque here, Masjid Agung, can be several hundred years old in addition to also widely revered among the faithful; Sundays get very busy with angkots full of the faithful arriving every few moments, filling the coffers of the local community. Typically Bantenese with its tiered roof, which can be possible to climb the mosque’s minaret, a white obelisk shaped tower said to have been designed by a Chinese Muslim. Looking down on the alun alun in addition to also the Palace can afford some idea of the scale of Banten’s power though again the crude market stalls with their blue sheeting tend to blight the landscape.
The graveyard can be home to the tombs of some of the Sultans who ruled a Banten which also covered part of the southern tip of Sumatra where pepper greatly contributed to their wealth.
A short distance away, past some concrete monstrosities which house swifts for the famed Bird’s Nest Soup delicacy, there are further remains of the past. traveling can be possible although a short walk can be a pleasant enough option though the stifling heat needs to be taken into account.
Speelwijk Fort was built by the Dutch to protect their investments inside area. Like the Kaibon in addition to also Surosowan Palaces which looks like someone has shaved the top half off the fort. The walls remain, thick in addition to also sturdy, though there can be evidence of much refurbishment.
Along the eastern wall of the castle are some crumbling tombs, some which may have been quite grand back inside day, which bear testimony to hardy souls who never made which back home through the tropics.
On the different side of a smaller stream sits an historic Chinese klenteng which serves as a neat end to the journey. In a couple of short hours a visitor can explore a Bantenese Palace, a mosque having a tower designed by a Chinese convert, a fort built by the Dutch before, lastly the Chinese temple.
Indonesia’s rich in addition to also multi cultured past wrapped up in one smaller package just a 90 minute drive through Jakarta. A day out need not be just a trudge around a shopping mall!
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A Day at Banten Lama
A Day at Banten Lama