Discover Trowulan, the 'Pride of Java'

Trowulan, found en route between Solo and Malang, was once the seat of power of the powerful Majapahit Kingdom. This was Java's most significant Hindu empire which flourished between the late 13th and 15th Centuries. The success of the empire came from an enterprising spirit to trade spices and rice that grew abundantly in the fertile soils of East Java with merchants from Malaya. Today the largest reminder of this once great era is a large bathing pool and several small Hindu temples made of red brick surrounded by exceptionally well-tended gardens with colourful flowers. The town also has a museum with displays of pottery and other artefacts to tell the story of the Majapahit Empire. Sir Thomas Raffles re-discovered the ruins in the 19th century and described the site as ‘the pride of Java'.