Purworejo Regency
Kabupaten Purworejo
Regency
Coat of arms of Purworejo Regency
Coat of arms
Motto(s): 
Purworejo Berirama

(Bersih, Indah, Rapi, Aman, dan Makmur)

(Clean, Lovely, Tidy, Safe, and Palmy)
Country Indonesia
ProvinceCentral Java
SeatPurworejo
Area
 • Total1,034.82 km2 (399.55 sq mi)
Population
 (mid 2022 estimate)[1]
 • Total778,257
 • Density750/km2 (1,900/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+7
Websitepurworejokab.go.id

Purworejo is a regency (Indonesian: kabupaten) in the southern part of Central Java province in Indonesia. It covers an area of 1,034.82 km2 and had a population of 695,427 at the 2010 Census[2] and 769,880 at the 2020 Census;[3] the official estimate as at mid 2022 was 778,257 (comprising 389,302 males and 388,955 females).[1] Its capital is the town of Purworejo.

History

Ancient Mataram Hindu Period (8th–9th century AD)

The history of Purworejo is first recorded on Kayu Ara Hiwang inscription on 5 October 901, which is being found in Boro Wetan Village[4] The area was originally known by the name 'Bagelen' (read /ba·gə·lɛn/) and it is now become a smaller part of the whole Purworejo regency.

In the 9th centuries, Bagelen is part of the history of the ancient Mataram Hindu civilization (See: Mataram Kingdom) which was flourished on Kedu Plain. It is estimated that within the period of Rakai Watukara Dyah Balitung, Bagelen had become the capital of the Mataram Hindu Kingdom or that it is the origin of the king as Watukara is a river name in Bagelen.

The ancient artifact being found in Bagelen is Kayu Ara Hiwang inscription which explain Shima ceremony. At that period, when a new land is being opened for economic or religious use, there will be a ceremony being held by the authorities, namely Shima ceremony. The authorities mentioned in the inscription are: Sang Ratu Bajra, who is allegedly as Rakryan Mahamantri/Mapatih Hino Sri Daksottama Bahubajrapratipaksaya, who is also the brother-in-law of Rakai Watukura Dyah Balitung and who is also later became Balitung's successor.

The ceremony mentions that the land is being freed from any tax duty, but it has the obligation to maintain the holiness of a sacred place called "parahiyangan" (which means the place of Gods). The ceremony also purified the area of Kayu Ara Hiwang of any evil's influence. Kayu Ara Hiwang area itself consists of rice fields, savanna, caves and arable land. The cave mentioned in the inscription is identified as Seplawan Cave, where a shiva gold statue is being found and therefore the second artifact within Bagelen area.

Within this period, Bagelen became a religious center where some Buddhist monks (and often skilled with martial arts) were probably lived along the Bogowonto river banks.

Mataram Sultanate (Muslim) Period (15th–16th century AD)

During this period, the people of Bagelen is famous for becoming the special arms force for Sutawijaya, hence the beginning of its militaristic character which also said as inheritance of the martial art skills being instilled by the previous Buddhist monks from the ancient Mataram period.

Dutch Colonial Period (16th–19th century AD)

During this period, Bagelen area was notorious of its powerful insurgent which support Prince Diponegoro throughout Java War. Upon the defeat of Diponegoro, Bagelen was being asked from Mataram Sultanate in order to undermine the power of Bagelen's insurgent and was being integrated into Kedu Residency by the Dutch Colonial ruler. The new town, called Poerworedjo (new spelling: Purworejo) is being designed by a Dutch architect by adopting traditional Javanese architecture and tradition. The Dutch implemented indirect rule, which is reflected in its town architecture, where the regent is from the local leader (Raden Adipati Cokronegoro Pertama) and the co-ruler (the regent assistant) is always a Dutch. This new town was also served as Dutch military base camp that housed the Dutch Black Colonial Armed Forces from West Africa. Being a Dutch military base, several Dutch residents were born, lived and died in Purworejo, leaving genealogical records and memoirs in the regency.[5]

Some Dutch colonial buildings are still in a good shape until now as of Regency Official House (1840), a church which still become GPIB Church (1879), Kweekschool (1915), Train Station, Bank, Hospital. During this period, there were 2 main religious figures: a Muslim preacher (mubaligh) kyai Imam Pura and a Javanese Christian Evangelist, Kyai Sadrach. This is the evidence that in Purworejo, Muslim and Christians are being accepted harmoniously by its people.

Modern Indonesian period

In the modern day Indonesia, Purworejo produce skilled work force in the area of government, education and military. The prominent general from Purworejo is Sarwo Edhie Wibowo who is also the father-in-law of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. There are also several other notable general arms forces, government officials, ministers and lecturers as being listed in the notables from Purworejo.

Purworejo is recently more well known as the town of retirement. As the economic and government activities of modern Indonesia is centered in Jakarta, the majority of Purworejo citizens are urged to work in Jakarta or in other parts of Indonesia or even worldwide. However, there is also an urge for Purworejo citizen to repatriate and to build retirement residences in Purworejo. Because of its reputation as a retirement town in the modern day, its inheritance as a Dutch town and its ancient inheritance of Buddhist religious center, Purworejo is relatively a peaceful town with vast main roads, big old trees on both sides, regular squares of town blocks and its preserved Dutch buildings. The wider area of Purworejo Regency mainly has agriculture and livestock activities while some medium-sized, export oriented industrial activities (traditional furniture, textile and sports equipment) is being established in the southern part of the region.

Administrative districts

Purworejo Regency is divided into the following sixteen districts (kecamatan), tabulated below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 Census[2] and the 2020 Census,[3] together with the official estimate as at mid 2022.[1] The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of administrative villages in each district (totaling 469 rural desa and 25 urban kelurahan), and its post code.

Kode
Wilayah		Name of
District
(kecamatan)		Area
in
km2		Pop'n
2010
Census		Pop'n
2020
Census		Pop'n
mid 2022
Estimate		Admin
centre		No.
of
Villages		Post
code
33.06.01Grabag64.9242,63448,90349,727Paturejo3254265
33.06.02Ngombol55.2730,77934,79135,277Ngombol5754172
33.06.03Purwodadi53.9636,43541,09541,652Jenar Wetan4054173
33.06.04Bagelen63.7628,70830,48630,541Bagelan1754174
33.06.05Kaligesing74.7329,10731,73531,955Kaligono2154175
33.06.06Purworejo (district)52.7282,90485,30885,541Carigkreplor25 (a)54112
- 54119 (b)
33.06.07Banyuurip45.0839,98343,23443,464Banyuurip27 (c)54171
33.06.08Bayan43.2145,63651,26851,923Besole26 (d)54222
- 54224
33.06.09Kutoarjo37.5958,17662,07962,249Kutoarjo27 (e)54211
- 54214 (f)
33.06.10Butuh46.0838,78742,01142,248Diangu4154264 (g)
33.06.11Pituruh77.4245,66751,19151,823Pituruh4954263
33.06.12Kemiri92.0550,61158,23059,247Kemiri Kidul4054262
33.06.13Bruno108.4343,27452,03353,395Brunorejo1854261
33.06.14Gebang71.8639,82943,40143,697Bendosari25 (h)54191 (i)
33.06.15Loano53.6534,54538,05238,391Banyuasin Kembaran2154181
33.06.16Bener94.0848,35256,06357,127Kaliurip2854183
Totals1,034.82695,427769,880778,257Purworejo494

Notes: (a) comprising 14 urban kelurahan (Baledono, Cangkrep Kidul, Cangkrep Lor, Doplang, Kedung Sari, Keseneng, Mranti, Mudal, Paduroso, Pangenjuru Tengah, Pangenrejo, Purworejo, Sindurjan and Tambakrejo) and 11 desa.
(b) except the kelurahan of Purworejo, which has a post code of 54151. (c) including 3 kelurahan (Boro Kulon, Kledung Karangdalem and Kledung Kradenan).
(d) including one kelurahan (Sucenjuru Tengah). (e) comprising 6 kelurahan (Bandung, Bayem, Katerban, Kutoarjo, Semawung Daleman and Semawung Kembaran) and 21 desa.
(f) except the kelurahan of Kutoarjo, which has a post code of 54251. (g) except the desa of Kedungsari, which has a post code of 54116.
(h) including one kelurahan (Lugosobo). (i) except the desa of Kemiri, which has a post code of 54262.

Transportation

Airport

The airport closest to the town is Adisucipto International Airport which is approximately within 1.5 hours driving distance. With the development of Yogyakarta International Airport near the border of Jogjakarta and Purworejo, it will only take 30 minutes to the airport.

Rail

The railway through Purworejo at Kutoarjo Station is part of the southern Java railway system. The complete schedule can be found at Kutoarjo Station Schedules. Some popular schedules:

Intercity routes

  • Taksaka (executive class): Yogyakarta – Kutoarjo – Jakarta
  • Argo Lawu (executive class): Jakarta – Kutoarjo – Solo
  • Argo Dwipangga (executive class): Jakarta – Kutoarjo – Solo
  • Argo Wilis (executive class): Bandung – Kutoarjo – Surabaya
  • Turangga (executive class): Bandung – Kutoarjo – Surabaya
  • Sawunggalih Utama (executive and business class): Kutoarjo – Jakarta
  • Lodaya route (executive and business class): Solo – Kutoarjo – Bandung
  • Kutojaya Utara (economy class): Kutoarjo – Jakarta
  • Bogowonto (economy AC class): Yogyakarta – Kutoarjo – Jakarta
  • Kutojaya Selatan (economy class): Kutoarjo – Bandung
  • Gaya Baru Malam Selatan (economy class): Jakarta – Kutoarjo – Surabaya
  • Sancaka Utara (executive and business class): Kutoarjo – Surabaya

Commuter Routes

Prambanan Express commuter train serves 3 cities: Solo, Yogyakarta and Purworejo (Kutoarjo)

Roads

There are several coach provider which serve route from Purworejo to main cities in Java e.g.

  • Sumber Alam = Purworejo – Jakarta
  • Efisiensi = Purwokerto – Yogjakarta through Purworejo

Tourism

Purworejo has not been fully marketed as a tourism area, although it has natural attractions including its south-western range of Menoreh hills with its caves (Seplawan cave), its southern beaches (Ketawang, Congot, Jatimalang) along the coastal districts of Grabag, Ngombol and Purwogadi, and its northern picturesque scenery of two active volcanoes - Mount Sumbing and Mount Sundoro - and its mountainous range with its waterfalls to the northern-east (Bruno).

Scenery of Purworejo with the view of mountain Sumbing & Sindoro at the distance

Sports & Amusement Park

Sports centres and activities that can be done in Purworejo

Swimming pools & Waterpark

  • Artha Tirta[6]
  • Kedung Kebo (Alam Tirta)[7]
  • Sumber Adventure Center (SAC) Waterpark[8][9]

Car Free Day

Every Sunday morning between 6AM to 10 AM the roads surrounding 1 km-square town square (alun-alun) is being closed from traffic and the town's resident freely walk/run/cycling/playing football/eat/do all sort of relaxing morning activities around the square.

Purworejo Square during Car Free Day with Sumbing mountain at the distance and 2 Banyan Trees in the middle of the square

Town Sports Center

GOR WR Supratman

Futsal (Mini football) centers

There are five futsal halls around the town[10]

Cycling

Purworejo landscape is ideal for cycling as the terrain varies with easy no elevation long routes along rice fields, to moderate challenge with some elevation around foothills, and the more difficult uphill routes to Menoreh hills at 300–800 meters above the sea level.

Notable people

Figures of Indonesian Independence

Military Figures

High-Ranking Officials

Academia/Researchers

Artists/Sportmen

Religious Pioneers

References

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 3 Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2023, Kabupaten Purworejo Dalam Angka 2023 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.3306)
  2. 1 2 Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.
  3. 1 2 Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.
  4. ↑ Pemkab Purworejo 2020.
  5. ↑ van Treslong Prins 1939.
  6. ↑ Nugroho 2012.
  7. ↑ Hadiprodjo 2012.
  8. ↑ Wijaya 2013.
  9. ↑ Sumber Alam 2013.
  10. ↑ "FUTSAL, SALAH SATU ALTERNATIF UNTUK REFRESHING | Dinas SDA ESDM Kab. Purworejo". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  11. ↑ Imran 1983.
  12. ↑ Hadi 2018.
  13. ↑ Nugroho 2013.
  14. ↑ KemenPANRB 2017.
  15. ↑ NII 2021.
  16. ↑ Sianipar 2021.
  17. ↑ Heksantoro 2019.
  18. ↑ "Website Staff UI". Archived from the original on 30 September 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  19. ↑ BMKG 2020.
  20. ↑ ITB 2020a.
  21. ↑ ITB 2020b.
  22. ↑ UI 2020.

Bibliography

Media related to Purworejo Regency at Wikimedia Commons

Official website

7°43′S 110°1′E / 7.717°S 110.017°E / -7.717; 110.017

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