Welcome to ‘Concrete sultanate’…

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, CIREBON - Entering the complex of Kraton Kasepuhan Cirebon, the eyes are focus on the pile of red bricks known as “kuta sosod”. The building is two meters in height and 60 centimeters in thickness. The pile of the red bricks is also kraton fence. Kraton means sultanate in English.

Behind the fence, numbers of building stand. One of the buildings is Prabayaksa. The wall is ornamented with China and Dutch ceramics and also four Kanigaran flower reliefs. The reliefs tell us that Cirebon has bilateral relationship with other countries for so long.

The palace was built by Sunan Gunung Jati great-grandchild, Prince Zaenal Arifin, in 1529. Kraton Kasepuhan was named Kraton Pakungwati and located in Kasepuhan, Lemahwungkuk, Cirebon, West Java.

Surrounded by Sipadu River and kasepuhan square in the north, the building is dominated in orange. Masjid Agung Sang Cipta Rasa is located in norththwest. Kriyan River is bordering the kraton in south. The housing is in east and west.

The glory of Muslim sultanate is seen from its wards inside the palace. Agung Panembahan Ward is a place for sultan, empress, and their crown child. There is also king’s bed covered with valance. Another ward, Prabayaksa, is for receiving guests.

Constructed from wood, the three wards are decorated with beautiful carving and painted in green, red, and golden. The floor is colorful, except Agung Panembahan ward which still in its original form, red bricks, since 1529.

To enter the complex, the visitors should pass the bridge named Kreteg Pangrawit. In the west side of the bridge, there is a building without wall called Pancaratna and on the east side is Pancaniti. After crossing the bridge, Giyanti Garden is waiting. In the east side of the garden, several buildings without wall are scattered. They are called Siti Inggil.

Supported by wood and roofed with shingle, Siti Inggil is 50 centimeters above the level. There are five of them, Mande Pendawa Lima, Mande Malang Semirang, Mande Semar Tinandu, Mande Karesmen, and Mande Pengiring.

Singabarong cart used for Sultan and palanquin are exhibited inside the kraton. The cart is acculturated from Islam, Hindu, and Buddha.

The interesting part of the kraton complex is a mosque called Masjid Agung Sang Cipta Rasa. Dominated with bricks, it is only 100 meters from the kraton. The mosque is built by Wali Songo in 1498. The main chamber of the mosque is actually the original building. The floor of this 17.8 x 13.3 meters building is from red terracotta.

The mosque has nine doors, just like the number of Wali Songo. The main entrance is in the east. The roof is unique. It is in the form of pyramid. In southeast side, a pillar made from pile of wood erects. The wood is connected by a paste made from resin sap. The society calls it Saka Tatal, which means wood chips pillar.

Inside the mosque, the imam leads the prayer in a podium. This mosque has two foyers. The inside foyer is around the main chamber and the outside foyer is around the inside foyer. Masjid Agung Sang Cipta is considered as cultural heritage.