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Province Yogyakarta
Located at the foot of the 2,914 meter high active volcano Gunung Merapi (Mountain of Fire), the fertile plain of Yogyakarta was in the 16th and 17th centuries the seat of the mighty Javanese empire of Mataram, Ngayogyakarto Hadiningrat, from which present-day Yogyakarta has inherited the best of traditions.
The city itself has a special gentle charm which seldoms fails to captivate
the visitor.
A sultanate still under the jurisdiction of Sultan Hamengku Buwono X and now one of the most densely populated areas of Indonesia (more than 1000 persons per sq. km.), Yogyakarta came into being in 1755 when the Dutch, by then firmly in control of Java though allowing the continued existence of Javanese sultanates, lost patience over the continues Rebellions. Splitting the much weakened sultanate of Mataram into the two smaller "self-ruling" territories of Surakarta and Yogyakarta, the Dutch appointed Prince Mangkubumi, the first Sultan of Yogyakarta, who ascended the throne of the new sultanate as Hamengku Buwono I. Within the city limits, the Sultan`s Palace or Kraton and the Water Castle ruins are now a major tourist attractions.
Whitin easy reach from the many first rate hotels in Yogyakarta are the old temple ruins of Prambanan and the restored Borobudur Buddhist sanctuary.
Gamelan, classical and contemporary Javanese dances, the wayang kulit (leather puppet) theatre and other forms of traditional art will amaze the visitor. Yogya`s craftsmen excell in the art of batik, silver and leather work and delight in showing off their skill to the visitor. In the silver workshops of Kotagede, once the seat of the Mataram empire, but now a tranquil little town just a few kilometre east of Yogyakarta, there hardly seem to exist any trade secrets: every body is welcome to watch as the silver is being transformed from raw material into beautiful works of art under the deft hands of the numerous craftsmen.
The Sultan`s Palace is the hub of Yogyakarta`s traditional life. Despite the advance of modernity, it still reflexes the spirit of refinement which has been the hallmark of Yogya`s art for centuries. Since its beginning in 1755, the Kraton has received many a royal guest and served as a stage for exclusive court dances. Today, it is treasured as an archetype of classical Javanese architecture, the ornate carvings and gilded beams testifying its royal origin.
Next to the traditional, the contemporary arts are finding fertile soil in Yogyakarta`s culture-oriented society. ASRI , the College of Fine Arts, is the academic centre of these arts and Yogyakarta itself has given its name to an important school of modern painting in Indonesia, perhaps best personified by the famed Indonesian impressionist, Affandi.
Roads leading to the main places of interest are good and local transportation is easy to arrange. Yogya`s atmosphere invites casualnes and leisure and it is completely in style to ride a "becak" (tricycle) or "andong" fourwheeled horse-cart whenever one wants to go on his own on a modest budget.
Sultan's Palace
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The Kraton or Palace was built in 1755 after the division of Mataram and the establishment of the sultanate of Yogyakarta. It is a vast complex of courtyards, halls and pavillions in Javanese architecture. Construction of the innermost group of courtyards and pavillions was completed in 1757, which the Javanese year 1682. This date is portrayed on the lintel of the entrance gate by two snakes facing opposite directions with their talls entwined. The most important structures of this palaces, located in the central courtyard, are the Bangsal Kencono or Golden Pavillion with its anexing Proboyekso pavillion. The Golden Pavillion, like most of the halls, is an open structure. It is most ornately carved and heavily gilded, its graceful roof supported by finely carved wooden beams. Here, the Sultan used to receive royal guests, give dance performances by specially trained court dancers , and held balls and banquets on great state occasions. The Kraton is the centre of activity during the Grebeg pageantries which are held three times a year coinciding with the three most important holidays on the Islamic calendar. Nowadays, the Kraton is no longer the seat of power but it still houses - among other things - the royal heirlooms and arms, the royal collection of magnificent bejewelled leather wayang puppets, the royal carriages and many ornaments of European and Indonesian origin, many of them gifts from royal guests in the past. Kraton retainers wear traditional dresses of batik sarongs, tight jacket, krises, and batik headwear. The Kraton is open to visitors, passes to be obtained at the "Tepas Pariwisata" (Tourist service) office near the main entrance gate at the Keben courtyard. |
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Province DIY
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Geographically, the Province of Yogyakarta -- one of the three Special Regions of Indonesia (the others being the capital city of Jakarta and Aceh in the northern tip of Sumatra) -- is situated in the southern part of Central Java and is one of the foremost cultural centres of Java. Administratively, Yogyakarta is surrounded by four regencies of
Central Java: On the south Yogyakarta is bordered by the Indian Ocean, stretching about 100 km from west to east, starting with Congot beach in the west and ended with Sadeng beach in the east. The Province of Yogyakarta -- with a total land area of 3,185.80
sq. km -- consists of four regencies and one munipality: |
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| Water Castle | |
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Just west of the kraton, are the ruins, pools, arches and, underground passages of the former pleasure gardens, the Water Castle. Built in 1758 by Sultan Hamengkubuwono I, the central courtyard with the nymph-baths has been restored. The Water Castle is located in the old part of the city within walking distance from the Bird Market. A number of batik workshops line the avenue leading to the pleasure garden`s entrance |
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| Kaliurang | |
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This resort on the slope of Mt. Merapi, 24 km north of Yogyakarta, is surrounded by enchanting countryside. The "Telogo Muncar" , waterfall and swimming pool make this resort a complete recreation place. Several bungalows are available for rent. Near this waterfall, there is another swimming pool named "Telogo Putri". Kaliurang is also historic place where negotiations between the Indonesians and the Dutch took place in 1948 under the supervision of the United Nations Good Offices Commitee. From Kaliurang, one can make the ascent to the fire-spewing crater of the volcano. Christian Awuy, owner of "Vogels Homestay" in Kaliruang gives briefings to travellers planning to ascent Mount Merapi every evening from Monday - Friday at his homestay. |
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| Prambanan Temple | |
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This magnificent Hindu temple derives it naine from the village where it is located, seventeen kilometres east of Yogyakarta. Locally known as the Loro Jongrang Temple, or the Temple of the Slender Virgin, it is the most magnificent and beautiful Hindu temple in Indonesia. Prambanan is believed to have been built by King Balitung Maha Sambu in the middle of the ninth century. Its parapets are adorned with bas-relief depicting the famous Ramayana story. It has eight shrines; the three main ones are dedicated to Shiva, Visnhu and Brahma. The main temple of Shiva rises to a height of 130 feet and houses the magnificant statue of Shiva`s consort, Durga. The Ramayana ballet is performed on an open-air stage during the full moon in the months from May to October. |
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| Borobudur Temple | |
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Administratively Candi (the temple of) Borobudur is located in Kabupaten (the Region of) Magelang but, since it is located only 42 kilometers northwest of Yogyakarta, most visitors stay in Yogyakarta. Rising 150 feet high, Borobudur Temple is actually a very big stupa, in fact the biggest stupa in the world. It was built during the most glorious era of the Cailendra Dynasty in the 8th century. The temple consists of ten levels, symbolizing the ten stages of the Mahayana Buddhist cosmic system. Crowning the top is a large closed stupa. The walls of the square terraces are embellished by beautiful executed carvings depicting the life story, the reincarnation and the final quest for the truth of Lord Sidharta Gautama who later on became the Buddha. It is supplemented by hundreds of Buddha images in all his manifestations adorning the nicheses above the walls. Borobudur is one of the World Heritage sites endowed by UNESCO. |
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| Imogiri | |
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lmogiri, the official cemetery of the royal descendents from Yogyakarta and Surakarta, is about 17 kms southeast of Yogyakarta and easily accessible by the bus or car. The tombs lie within three main courtyards perched on a hilltop. Entry into the smaller courtyards housing the tombs of the princes is allowed only by visitors wearing traditional Javanese dress, which can be hired on the spot for a modest fee. (Monday 09.00 - 12.00 and Friday 13.00 - 16.00). The cemetery is closed during the moslem month of Ramadhan |
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| Parang Tritis Beach | |
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A popular seaside resort 27 kms south of Yogyakarta on the Indian Ocean, Parangtritis is famous in Javanese mythology as the home of the Goddess of the South Seas, who was married to Panembahan Senopati, founder of the Mataram Kingdom. Every year the sultans of Yogyakarta make special offerings to her in a beachside ceremony called "Labuhan". |
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| Baron, Kukup and Krakal Beaches | |
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Three beaches close to each other on the South Coast accessible over a good but narrow road. |
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| Kasongan Village | |
| Southwest of Yogyakarta lies the village of Kasongan, known throughout Indonesia for its artistic pottery and earthenware. | |
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