Blora
Blora regency is a district in Central Java Province. The capital is Blora, about 127 km east of Semarang. Being in the eastern part of Central Java, Blora district directly near to the East Java Province.
This district is bordered with Pati and Rembang and in the north, and Bojonegoro and Tuban (East Java) in the east, Ngawi District (East Java) in the south, and Grobogan district in west.
Agriculture is the main economic sector in Blora. In the forestry sub-sector, Blora is one of the major regional producer of high quality teak in Java. Cepu area has long been known as a petroleum mining area, which has been exploited since the era of the Dutch East Indies. Blora received international attention when in the Blok Cepu discovered oil reserves of 250 million barrels.
Blora Regency area consists of lowlands and hills with a height of 20-280 meters above sea level. Half of Blora Regency area is forest, especially in the north, east, and south. The lowlands in the central part is generally a rice cultivation.
According to folklore, the word Blora derived from the word BELOR that have meaning as mud, and then eventually develop into “mbeloran” or muddy, until now it is better known as BLORA. Etymologically Blora derived from the word WAI + LORAH. Wai means water, and Lorah means ravine or low soil. So the name BLORA means low watery land, this is very close to understanding to the muddy ground.
The existence of Blora can be seen in several lines in historical of development, which was the first start in 16 Century under the power of Kadipaten Jipang or Jipang Duchy. Then, it continue when Blora was under the authority of Mataram kingdom. Next, was when Blora under the power of Mangkubumi war in 1727 – 1755.
Since the days of Pajang up to the time of Mataram, Blora Regency was become an important area for the Kingdom Central Government, this is because Blora is famous for its teak forests. Blora began to change its status from apanage to a regional district on December 11, 1749 AD, which until now it is known as Blora anniversary. The first Regent was Wilatikta.
Looking at the historical background in Blora, it is not surprising that nowadays Blora has some ancient heritages relating the historical tragedy at ancient time. There are number of ancient sites in Blora that also become the destination among the visitors, like, The Fossil Fauna of Ancient Sites, which is located in Kawung and Singget hamlet, Menden village and Sunggun hamlet, Medalem village, sub district of Kradenan. Wura wuri sites, is located in Ngloram village, sub-district of Cepu and Jipang Panolan meditation site.
Moreover, there are other tourism destinations in Blora relating the cultural sites or historical sites, like Terawang cave, Bentolo reservoir, Sayuran bathing place, Tempuran reservoir, Cepu Loco tour, Temanjang agro tourism, Manggir mountain agro tourism, geology tourism destination, Greneng reservoir, Tirtanadi cultural park and art.
