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| Ratu Boko Entrance Gate |
Ratu Boko Palace is a majestic complex that build in the reign of Rakai Panangkaran, one descendant of Wangsa Syailendra. The former name of this castle is Abhayagiri Vihara, according to Inscription found on the site called Abhayagiri Vihara which dates to 792 AD. The old inscription that mentioned a figure named Tejahpurnapane Panamkarana or Rakai Panangkaran (746-784 AD), as well as a region called the temple on the hill called Abhyagiri Temple ("temple on the hill that is free from danger"). Local people named this site after King Boko (Java language, meaning literally: "the king stork") , the legendary king which is the father of Rara Jonggrang (which is also the name of the main temple complex of Prambanan Temple). Ratu Boko site is located on a plateau covered 25 hectares area. This archeological site is striking contrast to other Classic-period sites in Central Java and Yogyakarta, which are remains of temples, Ratu Boko displays attributes of an occupation or settlement site. People beleive this site was a palace complex which belongs to the kings of Syailendra or Mataram Kingdom. The remains of settlements also founds in Ratu Boko vicinity. The legend told that this palace was once become a hiding place for Balaputradewa before he escape to Sumatra when Rakai Pikatan attacked him. Balaputradewa is the son of King Samaratungga and the brother of Pramudawardhani the Queen who completed Borobudur temple. He was considered a rebel after his disapproval on his sister marriage with Rakai Pikatan which causes of his position not meant to be a king. He run away to Sumatra and established his own kingdom of Sriwijaya.
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| Ratu Boko Palace front view |
Ratu Boko Site divided by several terraces. The first of three terraces is reached through a massive gateway built on two levels. On the western edge of this terrace is a high talud of soft white limestone. The second terrace, separated from the first by andesite wall, is reached through a gateway in paduraksa form consisting of three doors, a larger central one flanked by two of lesser dimensions. The third terrace, the largest, contains the most archaeological remains. Another talud and andesite wall separate the third terrace from the second terrace, with another connecting gateway of paduraksa form, this time consisting of five doors, again the central one having larger dimensions than the two which flank it. On the main gate a carving read “Panabwara” that was written by Rakai Panabwara, descendant of Rakai Panangkaran. On the third terrace there are two buildings, one of them has the basic material from White Stone, so it is called Candi Batu Putih or White Stone Temple. The other one called Candi Pembakaran. This temple has square form 26 m wide in each side, it has 2 terraces and according to its name, this temple is used as crematorium. Found not too far from the temple, there are also several square stone structures. On the structures there are some umpak or stones which serve as the base for wooden columns with holes to support the pillars. These structures are highly suggested as the base of the building. On the second terrace on the southeast side of the plateau, lies the pendopo (audience hall). The pendopo is a square stone enclosure surrounded with andesite stone wall with the small paduraksa entrance gates in the north, west, and south sides of the walled enclosure.
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| The Fortified Wall of Ratu Boko Palace |
On the eastern side of pendopo on the lower terrace, there are several andesite stone walled enclosure with paduraksa gate and a gallery leads to the several pools within the walled enclosure. This structure is associated by local folks as kaputren (women's quarter). One particular pool (or well) within the bath place is considered sacred by Hindu people called 'Amerta Mantana'. It is believed that the water of Amerta brings luck for anyone who uses it. Hindu people use it in Tawur Agung ceremony, one day before the Nyepi day, to support the achievement of self purify and to return the earth into her initial harmony. At the northern part from pendopo, isolated from the rest of the site, lies two caves that were formed of sediment stones that is seem used for meditation place. The upper cave is called Gua Lanang (Male Cave) and the lower cave is called Gua Wadon (Female Cave). In front of Gua Lanang, there is a pond and three effigies. Based on the research, the effigy is known as Aksobya, one of Buddha Pantheons.
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| Sunset panoramic view at Ratu Boko Palace |
Ratu Boko Palace site is located about 3 kilometres south of Prambanan temple complex in Yogyakarta Indonesia, approximately 18 km easthern from the city center of Yogyakarta, or 50 km southwest of Solo, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia. It takes about 30 minutes by car from Yogyakarta, and it’s only about 5 – 8 minutes away from Prambanan Temple Complex. This site usually become the second place to be visited after Prambanan Temple, as the distance is not too far and it will save travel time.
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| Third terrace of Ratu Boko Palace |
Just like visiting other temple such as Prambanan or Borobudur, there will be a lot of walking activity in Ratu Boko. Covering 25 hectare, the area would be large enough to explore. Light clothing is recomended. This site is located 196 m above the sea level, on the highest point in the site, there is a small pavilion from which one will be able to see a panoramic view of Prambanan temple with Mount Merapi as the background. Do not miss this place when visiting Yogyakarta. Please bring along sun glasses and also hat as the day might be hot and sunny. Umbrella or raincoat is recomended when visiting Yogyakarta in the Rainy Season. Rain often drops in the afternoon. Please refer to Weather Forecast for detail of contact our administrator for further information. See also our Tour Package offer.
