Yogyakarta

Special District of Yogyakarta

The Capital City of DI Yogyakarta is “Yogyakarta”

The sultanate of Yogyakarta, at the foot of the restless volcano Merapi, was established in 1755, following the split of the Mataram Kingdom into the sultanates of Surakarta and Yogyakarta in the wake of a revolt. The latter’s tradition of rebellion against foreign rule have served both itself and the republic, even in it’s darkest days after the Dutch invation of 1948, has spared Yogyakarta the fate of other former self ruling territories, which were either dissolved or saw their powers drastically curtailed.

For the masses in Yogyakarta, the Sultan’s Palace is at present still the bulwark of Javanese culture and traditions. Yogya’s artistic and cultural life, are no longer dominated by the courts or constrained by tradition. Art studios are everywhere and creativity blossoms uncurbed. The art of batik painting is forever seeking new forms and expressions and even the wayang leather puppets are subject to experimentation. Art in various forms is for many artists in Yogyakarta not only a profession, but also a source of income.The city is also one of the country’s major centers of higher learning. Yogyakarta’s Gajah Mada University is one of the country’s most respected institutes of higher learning and schools and colleges abound. Having withstood the times, Yogyakarta, with it’s population of more than four million, seems at present intent on securiting the best of both worlds the modern and the traditional.

Yogyakarta is a center of the finest artisants craftman working on their crafts of silver, leather and batik as well as cultural and intellectual. With a still-functioning roral palace in center of town, the surrounding hillsides and plains scattered with awe-inspiring stone temples, and a athriving artistic community, Yogyakarta the undisputed cultural capital of Java. Yogya is center of dance, music.Yogyakarta has a well-established reputation as the cultural center of central Java. Most area of interest center around Jalan Malioboro, canopied sidewalks offer shelter from the mid-afternoon heat and by night turn into a colorful street market where we could by leathergoods, textiles, batiks, wayang puppets and much more.the Yogya city is most famous for “lesehan”-meals of local delicacies taken sitting on straw mats in simple restorants or directly on the sidewalk.

We could visit Sonobudoyo Museum, The Sultan’s Palace, The water Castle, Batik home industries and silverworks at Kotagede also Parangtritis. Visit The most beautiful Hindhu Temple built in the 9^th century, storeys Budhist temple Plaosan, Kalasan Temple and magnificient Prambanan Temple the most beautiful and the biggest Hindu Temple in Indonesia, etc.

The Sultan’s Palace

The beteng-the Sultan walled royal compound in the larger sense, including the squares and roads and neighborhoods and the “Inner Palace” where the ruler has his personal quarters is almost a town in itself. It takes about an hour to walk around it. It’s walls are three and half meters high and four meters thick and are fortified with bastions and watchtowers in the four corners.

Inside this complex is the palace or Kraton, where the Sultan resides with his family and royal houshold, and where the royal heirlooms are kept. Yogya’s Palace is a good representation of Javanese traditional architecture at it’s best.The Sultan’s Palace or Kraton, the Javanese  regard Java as the center of the world, and the Keraton (Royal Palace/Sultan’s Palace) as it’s heart. The Yogya keraton, home of the current Sultan, Hamengkubuwono X, is open to the public and is is the city’s premier tourist attraction. Entering the Palace is like stepping back in the time, into place where a moment of past glory is preserved like buterfly caught in amber. The layout of the royal complex, with open courtyards surrounding low pavilions and the keraton at the center, is a microcosmic representation of the world. Every component of the structure or grounds is charged with mystic significance.

The Javanese believe that by arranging the keraton’s komponents in harmony, the order and harmony of the universe could be maintained. Attached to the keraton complex is Taman Sari, a two century old water palace and pleasure garden built by Yogyakarta’s first Sultan for his wives and concubines. The narrow alleys near the keraton walls which once housed the families of palace retainers, now support a vibrant colony of batik artist and artisans.

Traditional Costumes

The costume showing user identity, therefore style of traditional fashion has been drawn up when, who, and where the costume will be worn.The Yogyakarta's men wear close collar shirt and special Batik Blangkon, meanwhile the women put on Kebaya and cloth.There are set of women's costume i.e; Kebaya green brocade with golden motif, flower broach, hair bun, roses on pair of ear, and five Cunduk Mentul (flower stalks).All of the accessories is linked and matched with others.

Sono Budoyo Museum

Sono Budoyo Museum is located on the north side of the square in front of the Sultan’s Palace. Sono Budoyo Museum built in 1935. This museum is built in traditional Javanese style and contains a wide range of objects of artistic and historical value. On Sundays, classical dance classes are held in the museum’s pendopo pavilion. A library is attached to the museum.

The Water Castle

Water Castle is the popular name given to Taman Sari, the royal retreat and pleasure gardens just south of the Sultan’s palace. Built by Sultan Hamengku Buwono I in 1758. It was once surrounded by a moat. At present, only the ruins of the old retreat remain, together with an elaborate and titilating network of underground passages, pools and arches. All enclosed inside the massive walls. The nymph  baths and chambers over looking them has been restored.

The Museum of Fine Arts

The Museum of Indonesia Fine Arts Yogyakarta, is well-known as one of Indonesia’s art centers, and within an hour’s from the city lies the impressive Haji Hidayat Museum, with over 3,000 m2 of space devoted to the subject. It is located at Sawitan, in the town of Mungkid just a fiew km from Borobudur.

The Prambanan Temple

The Prambanan Temples is the most beautiful Hindu’s Temple in the world, and as archaeological park. The Prambanan Temple situated in Klaten, 17  kilometers East from Yogyakarta or 15 minutes drive away on the roud between Yogyakarta and Solo. These Hindu temples were built in the year 825 and 826 AD., by the Sanjaya Dynasty in the 9^th century. The Prambanan Temples the most largest and the most ambitious temples complex ever constructed in Central Java. These are three main temples, dedicated to the Gods of representing the Hindu trinity of Brahma on the south, Shiva in the center and Vishnu on the north side. These are also reputedly Indonesia’s most beautiful and most imposing Hindu Temples. The central groups consists of eight temples and was uncovered during excavations in 1893-1894. A wall, 170 meters long, is believed to have once enclosed this central square. Outside this wall were three larger squares on which stood about 157 small candis. Two more rings of walls enclosed the whole.

The main temples in the central square stand in two rows, each facing the other. The main temple rising 43 meters (130 feet) tall and dedicated to Shiva, stand in the middle of the row on the west and has four chambers. One of which contains the statue of Durga, Shiva’s consort. The statues of Prambanan are among the most beautiful ever found in Java. Bas-reliefs carved in the temple’s black lava stone panels defict the story of King Rama, of the famed Ramayana epic. The temples to the left and right of the main one are dedicated to Vishnu and Brahma, respectively.

During evenings in the dry season and fullmoon between June and October, the Ramayana ballet is perfomed on an open stage to the west of the complex.

Plaosan temple

Travelling to increase knowledge is fun. We can learn much new information on the history that we have not known before. Thus our knowledge is increasing. This temple is deceptively simple, but it is also a witness to the history of the development of Indonesia.Plaosan temple is one of the Buddhist temples located in Bugisan village, Prambanan district, Central Java, Indonesia. Only a few kilometers from Prambanan Temple. Estimated, Plaosan temple was built in the mid 9th century.The Plaosan temple has 116 ancillary domes and 50 ancillary temples. You can find Many of the buildings have inscriptions in this temple. One of the characteristics of Plaosan temple is the smooth surface of the terrace.

Tara Temple, A Temple Located in Kalasan

Do you like to visit temple? This temple is located in Kalibening, Kalasan, Yogyakarta. Body of the temple has the appearance of bulging out the side of the center. On the outer surface of the body temple is decorated with niches that hold the figure of the god of the lotus flower with a standing position.The roof of the temple consists of two levels. Relief at the Temple Tara has a uniqueness that is coated with cement called Brajalepha ancient, made from the sap of certain trees.

Tara temple is a building in the form of a cube with the size of each side of 45 meters and 34 meters high. Vertically, this temple consists of three parts, namely temple foot, temple body and temple roof.The foot of the temple is a building on square stones and a wide stone. On this part, there is a stair with makara ornament at the end. Around the temple foot there are ornaments of climbing plants that come out from pots.

Ratu Boko Temple

Ratu Boko Temple is located about 3 km south from Prambanan Temple, 18 km east of Yogyakarta. Total area of the complex is about 25 ha. Ratu Boko Temple has a width of 2.5 square meters. Ratu Boko Temple is standing on the top of the hill. It is a popular tourist location in Yogyakarta. Judging from the layout, Ratu Boko Temple can be grouped into 5 groups, namely : the Main Gate, the group Paseban, Pendapa groups, Keputren groups, and the Cave. Group Main Gate located west of Main Gate I and II, talud, fences, burning temples and the remains of the ruins.This location is easily to be accessed by public transportation from Yogyakarta that led to the city of Solo. At Ratu Boko Temple you'll also see a series of circular pools carved into the limestone. These were used for royal baths. Two caves formed of sediment stones lie at the eastern end of the palace. So, visit the beautiful Ratu Boko Temple.

 

Gebang Temple

Gebang temple is a temple of Hinduism. Marked by the existing Lingga, Yoni, and Ganesha statue. Gebang Temple is located on Condongcatur Region, Gebang Village, Ngemplak, Sleman, Yogyakarta.This Temple has several peculiar features that can't find on other Hindu's temples. It is certainly a temple of Hinduism, marked by the existing Lingga, Yoni, and Ganesha statue. Besides, its high proportional feet indicate that if comes from an old period (± years 730-800).The squared building of 5.25 x 5.25 m and 7.75 in height has a high proportion of the feet without any relief on it plain. There is no entrance stairs, or it is probably made of wood or other breakable materials so that nobody has discovered it by now.Inside the body of temple, there is a room with eastern front on which the Yoni placed. On the right left sides there are the Nandiswara statues, while there is not any statue in the room of Mahakala. The rooms in the north and south sides were empty.In the west, statue sitting on a Yoni with its nozzle looks on the north a Ganesha. On the top, there is a Lingga on a lotus, as its pad. On the top of it is in a shape of Lingga, namely in cylindrical.

Sambisari Temple

Sambisari temple is a Hindu temple. This temple located at Sambisari hamlet, Purwomartani village, Kalasan, Sleman regency, Yogyakarta. The Sambisari temple is a beautiful piece of art.Sambisari Temple is predicted to be constructed in the 9th century. Sambisari Temple consists of one main temple and three supporting temples.The Temple is very unique. Cause, the position is at approximately 6m below the ground line. It is easy to reach the temple because it is located close to Airport in Yogyakarta city. You can go there by taxi or by motorcycle.

Imogiri

The royal cemetery of the rulers of Yogyakarta and Surakarta at Imogiri, 15 kilometers south of Yogyakarta, is uilt on a hilltop and is reached by clombing 345 stone steps. Visitors are allowed entry into the smaller court yards on Mondays and Fridays, but formal Javanese dress is required.

Mount Merapi

To the North East of Yogyakarta is the famous Mount Merapi, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes. Safety allowing, the energetic may wish to try the guided night climb from Kaliurang resort. It takes a fiew hours, and arriving in the early hours will over views of the sunrise over the smoking caldera. The Volcano Observation post in Jrakah, near Solo, is the best place to observe the spewing beast from a safe distance. Going beyond this point is often not an option for safety reasons. Occasionally the volcano belches a large cloud of super-hot sulphurous gas which literally roats villages.

Affandi Museum

Some of the best works of Affandi, Indonesian late most famous impressionist painter, are on display in this private museum adjoining the artist’s home on the main road from the Airport leading into the city. Works of other painters are occationally also shown.

Kaliurang

This is a cool mountain resort on the slope of Mount Merapi. About an hour driving distance from the city. Hikers often use it as a starting point for climbing to the crater at times when the volcano is not active.

Kasongan

A Tour Adventure  center like Yogyakarta probably wouldn’t have become as popular as it is without the option for some retail therapy. One of the great plesures of going on holiday, apart from the sightseeing and touring, has to be the shopping. The thrill of finding the perfect item, such  as ceramics, leather shadow puppets and Batik, at the perfect price is universal. We could find ceramics or other crafts in Kasongan.  Kasongan is a village of traditional potlers a short driving to the South West of the city center of Yogyakarta or in Bangun Jiwo, has in the past decades acquired fame for it’s beguiling earthenware ornaments and utensils. Guidance provided by trained artists is what has elevated Kasongan’s pottery from the simple utensils that they were to real works of arts. Schores of shopfronts line the streets here offering a bewildering array of locally made pots, vases, statues, garden sets ashtrays and more.

Not far from Kasongan is the village of Gedeng, where village artisans make some of the finest leather wayang (Puppets), puppets for the Javanese shadow play.

Silverworks

Kota Gede, 6 kilometers to the east of Yogyakarta, is a small town famed for it’s silver crafts. Once the seat of the Mataram Kingdom, it is also the site of the graves of Mataram’s early rulers. The visitors are welcome to watch the artisans at work as they transform the silver into objects of art with simple hand tools.Silverworks, virtually untouched by modernity, the silver trade is still thriving in the picturesque center of Kota Gede, just seven kilometers out of the city center. Silver workshops have existed here since the 16^th century, and to the present day not much has changed in production methods. Most of the small showrooms have a workshop attached. Craftmen and women apply their expertise in producing jewelry, ornaments, and houshold cuterly, a process consisting of six separate stages. Firs the pure silver beads, usually mined in West Java, are melted and mixed with copper and set in bars.

The bar is then hammered to the correct thicness for the intended product. It is then forged into shape. The shaped piece is then carved and engraved with traditional motifs and designs, and all diffferent parts are subsequenly assembled into the final design. The silver shops at  Kota Gede are definitely worth a visit. Quite apart from being a museum of living local history, we could also find some superb souvenirs and gifts at out of town prices.

The Batik Research Center

Yogyakarta, also means batik and batik cloths in both traditional and contemporary designs are on permanent exhibit in this modest batik research center on the eastern outskirts of the city. Batik cloths could also be bought or ordered here.

Parangtritis

Parangtritis is 30 km South of Yogyakarta. A place to experience the power of the natural and supernaural, where the thundering rage of the Indian Ocean beats against the jagged volcanic cliffs of the south coast, and the legend of Loro Kidul burns strong. Whitw rolling dunes, rugged chiffs and the Indian Ocean beating savagely against the shore charactrize this starkly impressive beach resort south of Yogyakarta.

Para Kusumo, a trip of beach a little to the west of Parang Tritis, is the site where once a year the Sultan of Yogyakarta makes offerings to Nyai Loro Kidul, the goddess of the southern sea, in a ceremony called Labuhan. According to legend, the goddess was married to Panembahan Senopati, the founder of the Mataram Kingdom of which the sultanates of Yogyakarta and Surakarta were born.The trip to the Maria Tritis Cave, an important Catholic shrine, provides a great morning or affternoon outing. The walk takes us through woods and past a number of small shrines which feature stone carvings depicting the life of Christ. The cave itself is open with an alter for small services and two large statues of Jesus and The Virgin Mary.

Cerme provides a more adventurous cave experience. After an rigorous climb with incredible view of Java below, we clamber down into an enormous complex of caves and make our way through a complex of under ground caverns. Wading through waist deep water, crouching under stalignites and stalicites and squeezing through narrow passages, the air is beautifully cool and silent.  

Baron Beach

Baron is Yogyakarta’s second popular beach has white sands and waters that are save for swimming. During evening when the moon is full (Bulan Purnama), folk theater performances are usually held here. The beach is particularly popular with campers. Not far from Baron is Kukup, where a marine aquarium is being built.

Transportation

City buses are available and pedicabs are omnipresent in this city of students. The best way to know the place, is  by walking. Distances are seldom very far in Yogya. Air, train and intercity bus links connect Yogya with towns and cities all over Java.

Accommodation

The city of Yogyakarta has several hotels but only a small number with star ratings. The deluxe hotels with convenion facilities, swimming pools, tennis courts and restaurants. All other hotels in the trhee to one star categories have air conditioning, attached bathrooms and telephones.