Sunda Kelapa Port

Origins and Founding Period

The historical roots of Sunda Kelapa can be traced back to the 12th century, when this port served as the main gateway for the Sunda Kingdom (Pajajaran), whose capital was in Pakuan (now Bogor). The name "Sunda Kelapa" itself refers to its location within the Sunda Kingdom's territory and its primary export commodity, pepper.

In that era, the port was one of the most important on the world's spice trade routes. Its strategic location at the mouth of the Ciliwung River made it an ideal place for international trading ships to shelter from storms and conduct transactions of valuable commodities.

Traditional Architecture and Construction Details

One of the unique features that distinguishes Sunda Kelapa from other modern ports is the preservation of its traditional pier construction style, which still accommodates traditional wooden ships like the Pinisi and Lambo. The Sunda Kelapa pier is approximately 1,100 meters long with a sturdy structure to withstand the weight of large ships.

Although the concrete parts of the pier have undergone modernization, the 19th-century atmosphere is still palpable. Architecturally, the site is surrounded by Dutch colonial-style buildings in the surrounding area (such as the VOC Shipyard). The Pinisi ships docked here are masterpieces of Bugis and Makassar maritime architecture, constructed without iron nails, but rather with traditional wooden pegs. The visual of rows of ships with tall masts creates a maritime architectural silhouette not found anywhere else in the world.

Historical Significance and Important Events

Sunda Kelapa was the stage for various major events that reshaped the political map of the archipelago. One of the most monumental events was the signing of a trade agreement between the Sunda Kingdom and the Portuguese in 1522. As physical evidence of this agreement, a stone inscription known as the Luso-Sundanese Padrão was erected.

However, this alliance triggered concerns from the Islamic kingdoms in Java. On June 22, 1527, Fatahillah (a warrior commander from the Demak Sultanate) led a combined Demak-Cirebon force to attack and take over the port from Portuguese and Sunda Kingdom influence. This victory subsequently led to Sunda Kelapa being renamed "Jayakarta," meaning "Glorious Victory." This date is still commemorated as Jakarta's anniversary.

Almost a century later, in 1619, Jan Pieterszoon Coen of the Dutch VOC conquered Jayakarta and built a new city on its ruins, which he named Batavia. Sunda Kelapa then became the VOC's primary base for monopolizing the spice trade worldwide.

Important Figures and Colonial Period

Besides Fatahillah and Jan Pieterszoon Coen, Sunda Kelapa is also closely associated with figures like Tomé Pires, a Portuguese explorer who documented the port's greatness in his book Suma Oriental. He described Sunda Kelapa as a well-managed pepper port with an organized administrative system.

During the Dutch colonial period, the port underwent massive expansion. Canals were built around the port to facilitate the transportation of goods from the interior to the docks. During this period, the Syahbandar Tower (1839) was also built, serving as an observation tower and customs office to regulate ship traffic entering and leaving Batavia.

Preservation Status and Restoration

Currently, Sunda Kelapa Port is designated as a cultural heritage and historical site under the auspices of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government. Given its continued active function as a loading and unloading port, the main challenge in preservation is maintaining a balance between economic operations and the protection of historical value.

Restoration efforts are ongoing, especially on the supporting buildings in its vicinity. One successful restoration is the transformation of former VOC grain and spice warehouses into the Maritime Museum, located directly in front of the port's entrance. The revitalization of the Jakarta Old Town area has also had a positive impact on Sunda Kelapa's physical integrity, with improved accessibility for tourists without losing the essence of a traditional port.

Cultural Value and Historical Uniqueness

Culturally, Sunda Kelapa is a symbol of syncretism and acculturation. Here, various ethnic groups converged—Javanese, Sundanese, Bugis, Malay, Chinese, Arab, and European. The presence of Pinisi ships to this day is a form of "living museum" for Indonesian maritime technology.

One rarely known unique fact is that even though Jakarta has had modern ports like Tanjung Priok since the late 19th century, Sunda Kelapa was never abandoned. It has persisted as a distribution center for basic necessities to remote islands in Indonesia using wooden ships. This makes Sunda Kelapa the only port in the world where large wooden sailing ships still operate commercially on a large scale.

Conclusion

Sunda Kelapa Port is not just a static relic of the past. It is a living monument that tells the story of the transition from local kingdom rule to colonialism, and then to becoming the economic heart of modern Indonesia. With its majestic rows of Pinisi ships and a deep historical background, Sunda Kelapa remains the most authentic identity of Jakarta as a maritime city. Its preservation is crucial, not only for tourism but as a reminder to future generations that this nation's glory began from the sea waves and winds that crossed this historic pier in North Jakarta.