Keraton Yogyakarta

Sithinggil

Sitihinggil (Tanah tinggi) was previously a hillside. The Kori ward, found on the east wing functions as a station for the officers that secure the Keraton, the ward located on the west wing functions as the town hall.

Bangsal Sithinggil

This area is used for daily “pasowanan” rituals and also the place where the sultan is crowned. President Soekarno was sworn in as president here. On top of the ward is written ‘Sampeyan Dalem Ingkang Sinuwun Kanjeng Sultan Hamengkubuwono Ingkak Jumeneng Kaping Wolu’. On the Candra Sengkala

inscription can be found “Pandita Cakra Naga Wani’ (7-5-8-1) indicating the year 1857. Symbols of a dragon called “Hardo Walko” represents as the protector of the people. You can find the Surya Sengkala decorated with ornaments of bees, hands, flowers and leaves. On it is the inscription “Gono Asto Kembang Loto’ (6-2-9-1) which symbolizes its restoration in 1926.

Masjid Gedhe Kauman (The Great Mosque)

The Gedhe Kauman mosque was built by Sultan Hamengkubuwono I with the assistance of Kyai Faqih Ibrahim Diponingrat (the first chief of the Kraton) and Kyai Wiryokusomo who was the architect. The mosque was built on May 29 1773.

The Gedhe Kauman mosque complex is surrounded by high walls. The main gate of the complex is located on the east side of the Kraton constructed as “semar tinadu”. The architecture of the main building is shaped as a square with a triangular shaped roof. Visitors can enter through the gates in the east and north. There is a three-stage podium made of wood, a mihrab (where the imam leads the prayer), and a construction that resembles a cage, the maksura. At the time, it was the safest place for the Sultan to pray. The foyer of the mosque was shaped as an open rectangle.

The floor of the main room is higher than the foyer of the mosque and the foyer is higher than the outside of the mosque. Located the north, east and south side of the mosque are small fountains. The fountains were used to wash the feet of those entering the mosque.

Near the mosque, there are two buildings that are called the Pagongan Ler that is situated east of the mosque and the Pagongan Kidul it’s opposite. During the Sekaten ceremony, Pagongan Ler is used to store the gamelans that are used through out the ceremony.

An entrance to the mosque complex is located southwest of the Pagongan Kidul, for the Jejak Batu ceremony which is part of the annual Sekaten celebration. In this complex, you can find the Pengulon, which serves as a residence for the village leader and a old cemetery near by. 

Pasar Gedhe Beringharjo (Beringharjo Market)

Beringharjo Market is the largest traditional market in Yogyakarta. Not long after the construction of the Keraton Yogyakarta, it has become the center of economic transaction of Yogyakarta. In March 24 1925, the Sultan assigned the Nederlansch Indische Beton Maatschappij to construct kiosks around the market. By the end of August 1925, 11 kiosks were built and others followed. The name Beringharjo was given by Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono VIII, who ordered that all local government institutions under the sultanate should be named in Javanese. Beringharjo is derived from the word "beringin" which means Banyan Tree, referring to the Banyan forest in which the market was built on, and "harjo" which means prosperity. The banyan tree symbolizes greatness & protection to the people.

Visit                                                              for more information about the traditional market.

Tamansari Watercastle

The Taman Sari Watercastle is consisted of 4 complexes:

1. An artificial lake on the west

2. Umbul Binangun bath house, south of the artificial lake

3. Ledok Sari rest area and Garitawati pool, south of the Umbul Binangun

4. East of the Umbul Binangun to the Ledok Sari rest area, is an artificial lake and island with a bridge and canal.

From all 4 complexes in Taman Sari Yogyakartam only the Umbul Binangun bath house is still complete, meanwhile the 3 other complexes are habited by the servants of the Kraton. 
 

In the first complex, in which the artificial lake is situated, lays the Pulo Kenongo, Pulo Cemethi, & Sumur Gumuling.

a. Pulo Kenongo is one of the islands in the middle of the artificial lake within the Taman Sari complex. A building named the Gedhong Kenongo is located here. It was previously the highest building in Yogyakarta, where the Sultan had a view of the whole city. The underground was made ventilated, to make it a hiding space from the invaders. Gedhong kenongo is still one of the highest buildings in Yogyakarta, making it a great spot for visitors to catch the sunset.

b, Pulo Cemethi is located south of Pulo Kenongo which is used as a meditation spot for the sultan. To reach this area, you need to pass through the underground pass. 

 c. Sumur Gumuling is located west of Pulo Kenongo and is one of the Sultan's area of prayer. It was intended to be built like a mosque, but it's circular construction makes it unique compared to regular mosques. Sumur Gumuling comprises of 2 floors. The first floor is the praying area for men, while the second floor is for women. It is said that when you speak loudly into the sumur your voice can be heard through out the building. Around the sumur, there are 5 stairways representing the 5 pillars of Islam. 4 of the stairways are connected in the middle. meanwhile the fifth stairway connects all 4 stairways to the second floor. Under the stairways you will find a small watering area to perform wudu (ablution).

After battles were fought, Hamengkubuwono 1 and 2 built the Taman Sari as a recreational site for the people. With the principle, “Nginggar Inggar Penggalih”, which roughly translates as “To feel joy and not be fearful of the Dutch East Indies yet remain cautious of possible threats towards the Yogyakarta sultanate.” Sultan Hamengkubuwono I and 2nd believed that the Dutch’s reign would be temporary and that they would eventually leave. It can be described as ‘Wis To to le, Teken-o Wae, Londo bakal Lungo Seko Bumi Kene’.