The Heritage Landscape of Cirebon Keratons Complex as the Heart of Cirebon City

Ref.: 1
Key theme: 02 Functional integrity of historic urban landscapes
Date of reception: 03/11/2008

AUTHORS (*Main author)

ARIFIN, Nurhayati * (Indonesia) - Bogor Agricultural University
DAMAYANTI, Vera Dian (Indonesia) - Bogor Agricultural University
OKTIKASARI, Suci (Indonesia) - Bogor Agricultural University

ABSTRACT

Cirebon, located in West Java, is one of important historical cities in Indonesia, particularly as an important place in the history of Isam early development in Java. The city of Cirebon has four palaces (keratons), ie. Keraton Kasepuhan, Keraton Kanoman, Keraton Kecirebonan, and Keraton Kaprabonan. These keratons located closely each other in Lemahwungkuk and Pekalipan districts, Cirebon City. The complex of keratons and their cultural activities is considered as the heart of Cirebon culture. However, the recent development in the areas surrounding the keratons, besides the internally economic pressure in maintaining the keratons, is seriously threatening the existence of the four keratons.
The objective of this study are to identify the landscape characteristics of the four keratons and the factors that influence their characteristics, and to find out (if any) their relationship and the landscape unity of the four keratons. The result of this study will be useful as reference to propose preservation management plan and to develop the surrounding areas.
Basically, the four keratons has similar landscape characteristics since the kings had same heredity line and the keratons based on the same ideology that was Islam. The structures or the compositions of the landscape of those keratons are also similar with that of the Javanese Islamic keraton. The differences among the four keratons, mainly because of the political role and function of each keraton, and the external factors that influenced during the period of construction. Based on the characteristics of the landscape and its elements, this study recommends the four keratons should be preserved in one united area. This study also proposed a zoning concept as guidance for keratons preservation and land use revision to support the preservation. The zoning concept divided the area of keratons complex and its surrounding into mainly three zones, i.e.: core zone, buffer zone, and limited development zone. The core zone was divided again into two sub-zones, i.e: closed zone (privat zone for keraton family) and "open for public" zone; buffer zone is areas surrounding the keratons that still has strong related characteristics with the keratons and enable to buffer the external pressure of development; and the last zone (limited development zone) is other the keraton-surrounding areas in Lemahwungkuk and Pekalipan districts where development should be supported to enhance the function and landscape characteristics of keratons as the heart of Cirebon culture.

Keywords: keraton, Cirebon, heritage landscape, preservation

REFERENCES

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