Peneleh European Cemetery is one of the historical sites in Surabaya that records the traces of European society during the colonial period. This place not only served as a burial ground but also became evidence of the social, cultural, and governmental policies of the colonial era over time.

The existence of Peneleh European Cemetery holds an important role in the history of Surabaya. Below is the important chronology related to the history of Peneleh European Cemetery:

1. 1743: Surabaya officially came under the control of the VOC, followed by an increase in Protestant Christian missionary movements along with the growing number of Europeans in Surabaya.
2. 1759: The first Dutch cemetery was built in the churchyard at Willemsplein by Abraham Christoffel Coertz.
3. 1793: Church leaders prohibited burials around the church due to the lack of available land.
4. 1794: The buitenkerskhof cemetery was built on Heerenstraat (Krembangan) during the tenure of Dirk van Hogendorp.
5. 1830: The Cultivation System (Sistem Tanam Paksa) was implemented, increasing the number of skilled European workers.
6. 1839: Krembangan Cemetery reached full capacity and could no longer be expanded.
7. 1846: The Peneleh European Cemetery construction project began with a budget of 10,000 guilders under the supervision of Engineer Geil.
8. August 1847: The cemetery land clearing process was completed.
9. 1 December 1847: Peneleh European Cemetery was officially opened through an inauguration ceremony.
10. 1863-1864: William Barrington D’Almeida mentioned Peneleh Cemetery in his book Life in Java.
11. 21 February 1864: J.J Francken, a sinology expert, was buried in Peneleh Cemetery with a tombstone engraved in Mandarin.
12. 1892: Around two thousand people made a pilgrimage to Peneleh Cemetery before Christmas, bringing jasmine, cempaka, kenanga, and gambir flowers.
13. 1910: The regulation De Verordening op het beheer der Europeesche begraafplaatsen was issued for the management of European cemeteries in Surabaya.
14. 1915: Approximately 13,000 bodies had been buried in Peneleh European Cemetery.
15. 1964: The last burial was conducted at Peneleh Cemetery.

Peneleh European Cemetery stands as a tangible testament to the historical and cultural journey of European society in Surabaya. Its existence today serves as a silent witness to the development of Surabaya from the colonial era to the present day.