Kuningan Regency
Kuningan
is bordered by Cirebon to the north, Majalengka to the west, Ciamis to the south and Brebes, Central Java to the east. The regency capital is Kuningan
city. Its elevation is 768 metres (2,520 ft) above sea level. The regency's
landscape is one of volcanic mountains, steep terrain, forest, mountains rivers
and fertile agricultural land. The highest mountain in the province, Ciremai
(3,076 m) is located in this regency. There are numerous tropical rainforests
in Kuningan, with such tree species as Pinus (pinus Merkusii), Jati Artocarpus
elasticus (Moraceae), Dysoxylum caulostachyum (Meliaceae), langsat Lansium domesticum
(Meliaceae), and Planchonia valida (Lecythidaceae), being represented.
Ciremai Mountain
On Mount Ciremai, as on many other
mountains up and down Java, there has been serious deforestation in recent
decades. It was reported in late 2012 that forest destruction on Mt Ciremai had
reached 4,000 ha out of a total of 15,000 ha. Causes are said to include
illegal logging, sand quarrying (often for construction purposes in nearby
areas), and forest fires.[2] Some
of the consequences of deforestation of this kind, evident in the Cirebon area
close to the sea near Mt Ciremai, include extensive siltation of the rivers
which flow northwards into the Java sea and more frequent flooding in lowland
areas.
Mt. Ciremai with
3,078 m high is West Java's tallest mountain and is still an active volcano;
the barren upper part of its cone bears witness to recent eruptions, the last
being in 1805.The climb, starting from either Cipari or Linggarjati, is
strenuous and takes about eight hours, the descent five hours. It seems to be
advisable to climb from Apui on the western flank and descend to Linggarjati.
The crater rim is sometimes so narrow that you cannot walk on it but have to
detour through the thicket. Junghuhn reported in the 19th century that the
Javanese used to hunt rhinos here by placing sharp blades in their paths
through the bush.
Linggarjati
Linggarjati, a
village in Kuningan Region at the foot of Mount Ciremai (3,078 m from sea
level) is place to go for those interested in the history of Indonesian
Independence. This was where the negotiations between the Dutch and Indonesian
was held after independence in August 17, 1945. The house, which was a former
hotel owned by a Dutch entrepreneur, where the Linggarjati agreement was
signed, has undergone renovation and is preserved as historical building.
Photos taken during the negotiation and the signing of the agreement decorate
it’s walls.
Linggarjati is also
a good starting point for mountain climbers. The Ciremai Mountain is the
highest mountain in West Java and beautiful views. This has wild animals such
as Java Tigers and Snakes. Also Kuningan Regency famous with “Kuda Kecil” (The
Little Horse) as Kuningan Regency Symbol, known “Kecil-kecil Kuda Kuningan”. The horses here are littles but also strongs.
Sangkan Hurip
Sangkan Hurip,
opposite the junction of the road to Linggarjati is a hot spring resort in this
area. The hot-spring is from Ciremai Mountain grounds. And Darma Reservoir near
to the Kuningan City Regency, the way to Tasikmalaya.
The Cave of Bunda Maria
The Cave of Bunda
Maria atau yang disebut “Gua Maria”
terletak di Cisantana Kabupaten Kuningan, Kaki Gunung Ciremai. Disebut Gua
Bunda Maria karena di dalam cekungan bangunan tedapat Patung Bunda Maria,
tempat beribadat dan ziarah kaum nasrani / kristen dengan sebutan “Sawer Rakhmat”. Sebelum mendekati
Patung Gua Bunda Maria, peziarah harus melaksanakan Jalan Salib, kemudian
mendekati 14 perhentian yang menggambarkan “Duka – Sengsara” Yesus. Tempat berdo’a adalah pelataran terbuka di
bukit di kaki Gunung Ciremai. Peziarah mengunjungi Gua Bunda Maria sesuai
dengan keinginan kaum nasrani. Namun kalender tahunan ibadat tetap disamakan
seperti Liturgi, pada bulan Mei dan Oktober, ini dilakukan untuk menghormati
Bunda Maria. Seperti pada umumnya berdo’a dan beribadat pada bulan Mei dan
Oktober, disertai berziarah ke
tempat-tempat suci lainnya. Sama yang dilakukan kaum nasrani di dunia
berkunjung ke “Lourdes”, Gua Bunda Maria terdapat di Francis yang terbesar dan
pertama.
Cipari
Cipari and
Linggarjati, driving 30 minutes South from Cirebon will get us to Kuningan
area. It has a natural beauty of it’s own and a cooler climate. Spots to go
includes Cipari, where pre-historic site was found from which items are
displayed in a small museum there.
Seren Taun
Darma Lake
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