Banten Lama Tourist Area

Origins and Establishment: From Banten Girang to the Coast

The history of Banten Lama cannot be separated from the shift of power centers from Banten Girang (inland) to the north coast. In 1526, Syarif Hidayatullah, known as Sunan Gunung Jati, along with his son Maulana Hasanuddin, captured the port of Banten from the rule of the Pajajaran Kingdom, which was then allied with the Portuguese.

The formal establishment of Banten Lama city was carried out on 1 Shawwal 933 Hijriah (around 1527 AD). Maulana Hasanuddin was then crowned the first Sultan of Banten. The choice of location on the north coast was a strategic move to control the highly valuable pepper trade route in the Sunda Strait, while also distancing political influence from the West Java hinterland.

Acculturative Architecture: A Blend of World Cultures

One of the main unique features of the Banten Lama Area is its architectural style, which reflects cosmopolitanism. The buildings show a harmonious blend of local Javanese elements, Islamic influences, European colonial styles, and Chinese touches.

1. Banten Grand Mosque: Built around 1552–1570, this mosque has a five-tiered roof resembling a pagoda or meru from the Hindu-Javanese tradition. However, its iconic minaret—often called the "Banten Tower"—displays strong influences of Dutch and Mughal architecture. This tower was designed by Hendrik Lucasz Cardeel, a Dutch convert who was granted the title Pangeran Wiraguna by the Sultan.

2. Surosowan Palace: Unlike palaces in Central Java that use wood, Surosowan was built using bricks and coral stones with defensive moats surrounding it. Its architecture adopted the European fortress system, reflecting the security needs against threats from the sea.

3. Avalokitesvara Temple: The existence of this Buddhist place of worship, built since the 16th century, proves that Banten Lama was a very tolerant city. Its architecture is dominated by red and yellow colors with dragon carvings typical of the Ming Dynasty.

Historical Significance and Strategic Role

During its golden age, especially under the rule of Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa (1651–1683), Banten Lama functioned as an international emporium. The Karangantu port, located in this area, became a meeting point for traders from England, the Netherlands, France, Denmark, China, Arabia, and India.

Banten Lama became a center of resistance against the VOC's (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie) monopoly. Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa's courage in challenging Dutch dominance made Banten a symbol of Nusantara's sovereignty. However, internal conflict between Sultan Ageng and his son, Sultan Haji, who was supported by the Dutch, marked the beginning of the sultanate's downfall. The peak occurred in 1808, when Governor-General Herman Willem Daendels ordered the destruction of Surosowan Palace because Sultan Muhammad bin Safiuddin refused to move the capital to an inland area.

Central Figures and Intellectual Heritage

Besides Maulana Hasanuddin and Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa, another important figure was Syekh Yusuf Al-Makassari. He was the sultanate's mufti and military advisor to Sultan Ageng, who spread Sufi teachings and became a symbol of unity for fighters from various regions in the archipelago.

Banten Lama was also known as a center for Islamic education. Many great scholars were born and studied here before continuing their studies in Mecca. This intellectual tradition has left a legacy of ancient manuscripts and the pesantren (Islamic boarding school) education system that still exists today in the Banten region.

Modern Conservation, Restoration, and Revitalization

For centuries, Banten Lama was forgotten and overgrown with bushes. Preservation efforts began to be intensified since the independence era. This area has been designated as a national Cultural Heritage site protected by law.

In 2018, the Banten Provincial Government carried out a large-scale revitalization project. The courtyard area of the Banten Grand Mosque is now equipped with large umbrellas resembling the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, as well as marble floors replacing the muddy ground. Although this revitalization sparked debate about historical authenticity, this step succeeded in increasing the comfort for millions of pilgrims and tourists who visit every year.

Restoration also focused on Kaibon Palace, the residence of the Sultan's mother, whose ruins still show the beauty of its gate structure and water gardens. Archaeological excavations continue to uncover the ancient city layout, including the "Tasikardi" irrigation system, which was once an artificial lake to supply clean water to the palace.

Religious and Cultural Meaning for the Community

To this day, Banten Lama remains a spiritual magnet. The tombs of the sultans, located on the north side of the Grand Mosque, are never empty of pilgrims. This area is a symbol of the Banten community's identity as religious yet open to change.

The diversity of sites in one area—from the mosque, palace, Dutch Speelwijk fortress, to the temple—makes Banten Lama a unique historical laboratory. It teaches that in the past, the archipelago was a great nation because of its ability to dialogue with various world civilizations without losing its local identity.

Banten Lama Tourist Area now stands as a bridge connecting a heroic past with the future of Banten. With all its remaining ruins and grandeur, it remains a reminder that a nation's glory greatly depends on maritime mastery, economic independence, and inter-religious harmony.