Heri Sisworo
The New Mataram Kingdom reigned in Central Java after Islam was widely spread in the region. The traces of this kingdom can still be seen in many places in several cities, especially in Yogyakarta and Solo, the two neighboring centers of Java. They have great palaces ; Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat and Keraton Kasunanan Surakarta.
Baca juga : Penuh dengan Klenik dan Mistis, Inilah Pesona Telaga Ngebel yang Angker
Mataram Kingdom was split into two in the mid-19th century, creating Yogyakarta and Surakarta Kingdoms. Both are very similar in many ways, including architecture. One of the pride of Surakarta Kingdom is its royal palace; Keraton Kasunanan Surakarta. Here is some information you need before visiting this palace
Location
As with almost all royal palace in Indonesia, Keraton Kasunanan Yogyakarta is located in the center of a city. Administratively, this palace is located at Baluwarti, Pasar Kliwon, Surakarta, Central Java. Since it is located in the most important point of the city, getting there wouldn’t be a problem at all. There are many public transportations that will get you to the gate of the palace.
The Architecture
The palace was designed by Pangeran Mangkubumi, an aristocrat and close family of the sultan who later rebel and found the Sultanate of Yogyakarta. From the outside, you can see clearly that this palace is combining Javanese and western architecture. The blue ornaments at Sasana Sumewa clearly show the Javanese carvings and symbolism.
Museum and restricted areas
The palace has now become a museum that attracts many tourists annually. You will have to pay a very low entrance fee to enter the palace. You can see the throne, passing through several doors and gates before eventually reach the museum. In the museum, you can see the remnants of old times, including cutleries, weapons, fragments of temples, and also artworks.
Visitors are not allowed to step on the Siti Hinggil Lor area where the throne is placed. Visitors are also required to take off their footwear on Sasana Sewaka Yard. They have to walk barefoot on the yard that is filled with soft sands from Mount Merapi and Parangkusumo Beach.
Tips
There are several rules you need to know before you plan to visit this palace. You will not be permitted to enter the palace if you wear tinted glass, hat, jacket, and shorts. You can put all that in your bag during your visit. As for the short, the management will offer you to wear cloth to cover your lower body so you are fit to enter Keraton.
Visiting Keraton Kasunanan Surakarta can be a deeply enriching for some. Many people also visit this palace for spiritual reasons. Whatever your motives might be, visiting this palace will let you glance to the glory of this kingdom in the past. Next
