Purwokerto

Geography

Purwokerto is located in the mid of Java Island within the province of Jawa Tengah (Central Java) near the base of Mount Slamet, the second-tallest volcano in Central Java. The city is bisected by the Kali Kranji (Kranji River). It lies near two major east-west roads, Jalan Sudirman and Jalan Gatot Subroto. Its geographic location is 7°26′S 109°14′E.

History

The history of Purwokerto as the capital of the Banyumas Regency is intertwined with the history of Banyumas itself. Banyumas was established in 1582 by Raden Joko Kahiman. He later became the came the first regent, Duke Mrapat.

The Sultanate of Pajang

Following the unintentional killing of Adipati Wirasaba VI in District Lowano (now Purworejo), Sultan Hadiwijaya summoned Joko Kahiman, the dead man's son in law. The Sultan made Kahiman "Adipati Wirasaba VII" (regent of Wirasaba) and divided the Wirasaba regency into four parts,

The capital of the Kejawar territory was in Banyumas. After the flood of 1861, the capital was moved to Purwokerto, which was located about 18 km further north.

Administrative of Purwokerto

Purwokerto is used to be administratively equal to a "Administrative City" and now with special status as the capital of Banyumas Regency. And it also used to be has a Major (Walikotatif). Purwokerto consists of four municipalities/districts (kecamatan), each headed by a "Camat". The administrative municipalities of Purwokerto (and part of Banyumas Regency) are follow :

If Purwokerto will become a autonomy city, now it has 292.782 people, will covering almost 98 km2 with 11 municipalities/kecamatan. <gallery>

Air

Purwokerto's nearest airport is the Tunggul Wulung airport in Cilacap township, approximately 40 km south of Purwokerto. Tunggul Wulung has direct flights (three times per week) from Halim Perdana Kusuma airport in Jakarta. The travel time from Jakarta to Cilacap is 45 minutes. Lately in 2016 Wirasaba (PWL) is planned for commercial flight service. The distance to the town is about 15 km only. Many news state which this airport will developed for commercial flight even Garuda Indonesia and Susi Air will serving this route to Jakarta. Additionally there's a new bridge has been built by 2 regencies between Banyumas and Purbalingga called Linggamas which supports it.

Train

Purwokerto is a hub city connecting Cirebon to Jogjakarta. Train is one of the main modes of transport to Purwokerto. All classes of ticket, from economy to first class, are available for trips on trains from Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta and Surabaya. The total journey from Jakarta is 6 hrs (first class) and 10 hrs (economy class). Soon in 2016 , is being built double track between Purwokerto and Kroya for about 25 km the distance. It will be easier also faster the trip between two station above. Double track from Jakarta to Purwokerto now is fully serviced and it takes 5 hours only for single trip. There are 2 new destinations serviced by new train ;

Road

Intercity buses connect Purwokerto to other cities on the island. The Purwokerto bus station is the third largest terminal in Central Java province after Terboyo (Semarang) and Tirtonadi (Surakarta). The Bulupitu's bus station services the passengers across the mainland to Bali/Lombok in the eastern also Banda Aceh (Sumatera) in the western. In 2016 wil planned BRT system (Bus Rapid Transportation) serving between Purbalingga to Purwokerto. For more facilities now is built "Traffic Park" or Taman Lalu Lintas Bulupitu whereas becomes an education park for public. This could be one of a little amount of additional bus station facilities in Indonesia. There is the first in Indonesia "Sleeper bus" serving Purbalingga/Purwokerto to Jakarta, which a new facility where the beds are available inside and just look like a hotel's facility.

Alun-alun

Purwokerto's central public square, Indonesian: Alun-alun, has six banyan trees: a tree at each corner, and two in the center. The townsfolk often spend their leisure time in the shady square and it is a common place for children to play. Vendors in the square sell children's toys and local foods. On one side is the regional government building, Kabupaten. On the west side of the square is the Masjid Baitus Salam Mosque of Purwokerto. To the east is the old cemetery on Ragasemangsang Road.

Bank BRI Museum

Located in the city center, Bank BRI Museum was built and dedicated for the Bank BRI's founder, R.A. Wiriatmadja. Formerly named as De Purwakertosche Hulp-en Spaar Bank der Inlandsche Bestuur Ambtenaren in 1895, now Bank BRI is one of the largest bank in the nation, as well as the oldest in the nation. Displays a lot of collections of coin and money from the VOC era until present time.

Baturraden

Baturraden, located 15 km north of Purwokerto is an area of typical highland country at the foot of the Gunung Slamet volcano. It is a popular site for local tourism, with a children's playground, hot springs, trekking and camping. There are two natural hot springs at Baturraden, namely Pancuran Telu and Pancuran Pitu. The campground is called Wana Wisata. Some hotels, villas and budget hotels are available in Baturraden.

Parks & Public facilities

Hotels Facilities

There are many hotels available in Purwokerto and Baturraden as follow :

And many more

Malls and Shopping Center

Recently Purwokerto has a little shopping center in amount, but now is being built a new mall located in the southern of Alun-alun called RSM (Rita Super Mall) integrated with Swisbell Hotels **** and also soon is planned built PCC (Purwokerto City Center) where the location is ex Stasiun Timur (PJKA) a mix used complex ; mall, hotel, shop houses.

It can described for a several years later list of shopping centers (with the established) are follows :

Food

The Purwokerto local food includes mendoan (fermented soy bean covered in wheat flour dough and deep fried), ranjem, nopia and mino (small nopia), tempeh keripik and many different kinds of chips. Gethuk goreng, made of cassava and Javanese sugar is also available. It is sold by various shops under various names. Also, in the morning, one may find a serabi seller on almost every corner of town. One Purwokerto delicacy is soto. It is also made in the nearby town of Sokaraja. Purwokerto soto is made from chicken while that from Sokaraja contains beef. Both are different from other sotos in Indonesia, because they are mixed with a spicy nut sambal. The most famous soto sokaraja seller in Sokaraja is "Soto Kecik", near the Buddha's monastery.

Beside the local traditional culinary mentioned above, there are many franchise's restaurants ; fast food especially have opened their branch here such as : KFC (now 2 outlets with 1 is Drive Thru and will open soon 2 new outlets in Rita Supermall and Moro). Moro Mall has a food court where we can eat any menus available from traditional and modern culinary. Bunto's Cafe locate in Jalan Sudirman where the international fast food with fully local taste are available too. Along at the Soeharso street /GOR there are so many restaurants and recently become as one of culinary destination in town beside at jalan Bunyamin/Baturaden

Medical facilities

Purwokerto is a centre for medical care for the southern part of the Central Java Province. There are both public and private hospitals for both general and specialist care. They include:

The main state run hospital is Margono Soekarjo general hospital which is located on the eastern edge of Purwokerto. Its name is commonly shortened to "RS Margono Soekarjo". It was named after the first surgeon in Indonesia. The surgeon was born in Purwokerto and his grave is found in Pesarean Kebutuh, Sokaraja Kulon.

Schools/Education

Jenderal Soedirman University is the main university in Purwokerto. It is located on the town's northern outskirts. There are many universities and academies in Purwokerto which serve the southern part of central Java. They include:

Notable people

List of Regents