YOGYAKARTA TOUR
Yogyakarta
or simply Yogya or Jogya, is one of the foremost cultural centers of Java.
Located at the foot of the active Merapi volcano & it stretches
till the Indian Ocean.
 The mighty empire of Mataram has inherited the best of traditions in Yogyakarta. Gamelan, classical and contemporary Javanese dances, the
wayang kulit leather puppet theater and other expressions of traditional
art will keep the visitor spellbound. Local craftsmen excel in
the arts of batiks, silver and leather work.
The
300 year old city of Jogyakarta is the cultural heart of Java. Indonesia's
oldest palace 'The Kraton,' still the domicile of Jogya's royalty. Even now the
current Sultan of Jogyakarta retains remarkable political prestige.
Jogyakarta
offers an abundance of Javanese art, painting, silverwork, batik handcraft, traditional
Javanese dances, as well as contemporary art. From Jogyakarta one can travel
easily to the Borobudur and Prambanan temples, which are half-day trips from the
city. Jogyakarta is situated between the foot of the still-active Merapi volcano
and the mystical Indian Ocean, home of 'Loro Kidul,' Queen of the South Seas.
Yogyakarta
is often called the main gateway to the center of Java where it
is geographically located. There is daily air service to Yogya
from Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali as well as regular train service
and easy accessibility by road.
NGAYOGYAKARTA
HADININGRAT PALACE
The palace court with its grand and elegant Javanese architecture
lies in the center of the city. It was founded by Prince Mangkubumi
in 1755. The Prince was then called Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono I.
He chose the right location of the compound between the Winongo
River and the Code River.The palace stretches out from north to
south.The front yard is called alun-alun Utara (the North Square),
and the back yard is called Alun-alun Selatan (the South Square).
The layout of the buildings shows that the Palace, the commemorative
column and Mount Merapi lie in one line. The palace meeting hall
is called the Pagelaran, where formal meetings of palace officials
are held, while the "Manguntur Tingkil" hall is the place
where the Sultan is seated. The palace visitors can enjoy the atmosphere
of the kraton in former times by visiting the life-size diorama
of wedding ceremonies on the palace meeting hall, performed by puppets
which are intentionally arranged to create such an atmosphere. Sets
of Javanese musical instruments, antiques and heirlooms have made
the palace of Yogyakarta worth to visit.
 WATER
CASTLE
Built in 1758 by Sultan Hamengkubuwono I. Just west of the kraton,
part of this pleasure garden and castle is at present no more than
an intriguing collection of ruins, pools, arches and underground
passages enclosed by massive walls, however, the central courtyard
with the nymph-baths has been restored. The Water Castle is located
in the older 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.
KOTA
GEDE
Kotagede, about five kilometers southeast of Yogyakarta, is a neat
little town which was once the seat of the mighty Mataram empire.
In this old palace town with its walled-in houses, the graves of
the first rulers of Mataram are still to be found. Since the 1930s,
however, Kotagede has become famous for being the center of the
Yogya silverwork industry. Kotagede is easily reached by "andong",
the four wheeled horse-drawn cart, by taxi, bus, or car. There
are a number of workshops where visitors are welcome to watch silver
being transformed into beautiful works of art known as "Yogya
Silver".
BATIK
RESEARCH CENTER
Situated on the eastern outskirts of the city, it has an interesting
permanent exhibition of batiks in classic and modern designs. The
process of batik can also be seen here, both the hand drawn and
hand stamped.
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