Keraton Yogyakarta (Yogyakarta Royal Palace)

Keraton Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta palace was founded in 1756. This palace is the next generation of the Mataram kingdom led by a king named Sultan Agung or The Great Sultan. In ancient times the kingdom of Mataram was the greatest empire of its time, it is proved that the expansion of the territory included not only the whole island of Java but also to the Sumatran mainland and the island of Madura. But after the death of Sultan Agung, many people are trying to fight the power, wherein the VOC (Dutch East India Company) at that time was in Indonesia tries to take advantage in the civil war. Until at last it came Giyanti agreement in February 1755. This treaty was started initially to the present Sultan Palace. The Giyanti Treaty mentioned Pangeran Mangkubumi as the first Sultan of Yogyakarta with the title of Sampeyan Dalem Ingkang Sinuwun Kanjeng Sultan Hamengkubuwono Senopati Ingalaga Abdul Rachman Sayidin Khalifatullah Panatagama(His Majesty, The Sultan-Carrier of the Universe, Chief Warrior, Servant of the Most Gracious, Cleric and Caliph that Safeguards the Religion) or today is well known as Sri Sultan Hamengkubowono I. He is the son of Amangkurat IV and the descendant of Brawijaya V from The Great Majapahit Empire. Sultan Palace began to be established by Hamengkubuwono few months after the agreement of Giyanti. Hamengkubuwono own previous residence was in Ambar Ketawang, near Gamping, Sleman. Yogyakarta itself originally was a guest house or Pesangrahan called Garjitawati. Other sources mention the location of the palace is a fountain called Umbul Pacethokan in the middle of the woods Paberingan. This region is flanked by two rivers, River Winongo and River Code. This location is in an imaginary line of the South Seas, Krapyak, Kraton, and Mount Merapi. People believe that those places have spiritual conection to each other.

Keraton Gate

Kraton Sultanate Ngayogyakarta or now well known by the name of the Sultan's Palace or Keraton Yogyakarta is the center of Javanese culture living museum in Yogyakarta. Beside being a home to the king and his family himself, Keraton is also a place for preservation of Ancient Javanesse Culture that is still remain firmly attached in the Keraton livinghood, and also people of Yogyakarta. Like for example the Keraton Building itself. Sultan Palace buildings look more traditional Javanese style of architecture, people usually call it JOGLO. An open Joglo without walls is called Bangsal, and a closed Joglo with wall called Gedhong. Joglo has certain characteristics. Joglo roof surface is typically trapezoidal in shape, some are square and some are rectangulare. The material is made of shingles, isthmus, and zinc and is usually red or gray. The roof is supported by the main pillars called Soko Guru, there are usually 4 Soko Guru as the center pieces, and the rests are supporting the edge of the roof. Building poles are usually dark green or black with yellow ornaments, light green, red, and gold as well as others. On a particular building (eg Manguntur Tangkil) has Mirong Princess ornaments, calligraphy stilasi of Allah, Muhammad, Alif Lam Mim and Ra, in the middle of the poles. Those poles including Soko Guru is based with square stone called Umpak, original black color from the stone itself, with combination of gold ornament. The white color dominating the walls of the building or complex separation wall. Floors are usually made of alabaster or a patterned tiles. The floor is made higher than the sandy terrace. Some particular building has a main floor higher. Some building is equipped with a square stone called Selo Gilang, place where the Sultan's throne. Keraton complex has many building devided according to its function.

Keraton Bangsal

The main building is called Bangsal Pagelaran, originally known as Tratag Rambat. At first this building is a place for Imperial Courtier to face and honored Sultan in the certain official ceremony. A pair of Bangsal Pasewakan located just outside the eastern and western wings of Bangsal Pagelaran. Formerly used by the commander received orders from the Sultan or waiting to report to Sultan. This bangsal is also used as a keep for Bupati Anom Jaba. At the far east and west from Bangsal Pagelaran, there is a pair of Bangsal Pemandengan. In the past it is used by the Sultan to see the combat drill in Alun-alun Lor (North Square). Bangsal Pengrawit is located in the southeast wing from Bangsal Pagelaran, it was used by the Sultan to inaugurate Pepatih Dalem. At the present time it is decorated with reliefs of the struggle of Sultan Hamengkubuwono I and Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX.

Tamansari

In the south of Bangsal Pagelaran there are Siti Hinggil Complex. Siti Hinggil complex traditionally used to hold the official royal ceremonies. In this place on December 19, 1949 used the inauguration Univ. Gadjah Mada. On the right and left lower end of the north Siti Hinggil there are two Bangsal Pacikeran used by Abdi Dalem Mertolulut and Singonegoro until about the year 1926. Bangsal Tarub Agung located just north of the top level. The building is square-shaped canopy with four pillars. In the northeast and northwest are Bangsal Tarub Kori. In this place formerly Abdi Dalem Kori and Abdi Dalem Jaksa in charge to deliver the petition of the people to the Sultan. Bangsal Manguntur Tangkil lies in the middle of Siti Hinggil inside a large open hall called Tratag Siti Hinggil. This building is where the Sultan sat on his throne at formal occasions such as inauguration of the kingdom and Pisowanan Sultan Agung. In this Bangsal also on December 17 1949 Ir. Soekarno was inaugurated as President of the United States of Indonesia. Bangsal Witono stood on the south Bangsal Manguntur Tangkil. The main floor of the bangsal are higher and larger than bangsal Manguntur Tangkil. This building used to put the royal emblems or royal heritage in the official royal events. Bale Bang is located on the east Tratag Siti Hinggil. In ancient times used to store the Gamelan Sekati, KK Guntur Madu and KK Naga Wilaga. Bale Angun Angun located on the west Tratag Siti Hinggil in his day was a place to store the spear, KK Suro Angun Angun.

Keraton Yogyakarta Symbol

Siti Hinggil Kidul or what is now the Sasana Hinggil Dwi Abad is located on the north Alun Alun Kidul (South Square). Siti Hinggil vast complex of South approximately 500 square meters. Ground level is elevated about 150 cm from the soil surface. Siti Hinggil Kidul used in ancient times by the Sultan to see the soldiers who were conducting Garebeg rehearsal, where the human fight tigers (Rampogan), and for the practice of female soldiers, Langen Kusumo. It also became the beginning of long journer of the funeral procession of the Sultan to Imogiri.

Keraton ceiling ornament

Kedhaton complex is the heart of the whole palace. This complex can be divided into at least three parts of quarter. The first part is the Pelataran Kedhaton which belongs to Sultan. The next section is Kaputren which belongs to princess who is the wife (wives) and the daughter of the Sultan. The last part is Kesatriyan, is part of Sultan's sons. In the front gate there are two giant figure called Dwarapala, the east one named Cinkorobolo and the west one named Bolobuto. On the east side there is a Guard Post. On the south wall there is a symbol of the empire, Praja Cihna. In the courtyard Kedhaton, Bangsal Kencono (Golden Pavilion), which faces east is the main hall of the palace. In this place held a variety of ceremonies for the royal family and other state ceremony. On each side of this building there is Tratag Bangsal Kencono that is used to be the place for practicing dance. In the west of Bangsal Kencana there is Ndalem Ageng Proboyakso facing south. This wood-paneled building is the central of the palace. Treasure stored inside the Kingdom (Royal Heirlooms), Throne of the Sultan, and the many Signs of the Kingdom (Regalia). In the north side of Ndalem Ageng Proboyakso is Gedhong Jene (The Yellow House). This place is the official residence of Sultan. The building that is dominated with yellow color on the door and the pole is to be used as an office by Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX. There are still many Bangsal inside the Keraton and it has its individual function according to Javanesse Culture, including unique building named Kaputren which is occupied by Sultan wife(wives) and His daughters and also Ksatrian which is separated building occupied by Sultans son.

Andong

Keraton Yogyakarta located in the heart of Yogyakarta city. It is only about 5 minutes from the famous Malioboro street, where Shopping Center,Hotels, Traditional Culinary, and also Traditional Market are become one of the most visited place by tourist. It takes only 20 minutes to the Adisucipto Airport. It can be by taxi or by bus. But there are two tipe of Indonesian Traditional Transportation that offered new experience for tourist. The first called Becak and the other one called Andong / Delman. Becak is a threecycle , two wheels are in the front and one at the back. The mechanism of this transportion is just like a bycycle, the driver sit at the back. It maximumly load two adults or three children. Riding this becak is very nice, especially for sight seeing, the fee could be variable according to the distance of riding. The second traditional transportation is Andong, this one is just like Chariot, some are pulled by two horses some are pulled by one. The carriege has 4 wooden wheels like a car, the passanger sit at the back, and it could load 4 persons. The driver called Kusir, sit in the front holding some kind of rope to control the horse. This become one favorite tourist acitvity in Yogyakarta. Upon your pleasure please stop by in some of Traditional Culinary Shop to purchase any of Famous Yogyakarta Traditional Food, such as Bakpia, Geplak, Wajik, Jenang, and many more. Still in the Shopping Center, there are some clothing shops provide beautiful Batik, it is Indonesian Traditional Painted Shirt that become one of the UNESCO World Heritage.

Royal Woman in the Royal Dance

Keraton Yogyakarta from time to time has attract people from around the world, this destination has become the most favorite place to be visited after Bali. Keraton which is well known of its thick culture of Javanesse and the spiritual issue of respecting the spirit, there are an advice when visiting Keraton as this is considered a sacred place which people believe some of the sacred object still remain a mystery. Wear a close clothing is recomended. If there is any other question please do not hesitate to contact our administrator. We will be glad to give a help. Please see also our Tour Package offer.