Taman Sari - Yogyakarta

Taman Sari was a recreation garden or a resting house for the Sultan and Family. The other function is used as hiding place for royal family to defend against the enemy assault.

Taman sari is located about 2 km south of Yogyakarta Palace. Built by Portuguese architect in European aquatic construction adorned with Javanese Symbolize ornaments. Tamansari was built in the Sultan Hamengku Buwono I period in the end of XVII Century. Tamansari not only just a recreation, but it’s also a compound of bathing pool, canals, rooms and extremerly large swimming pool (if the canals opened).

Taman sari is an interesting place to visit. Besides the location is very closed to the Sultan palace, Tamansari has it owned speciality in attraction reflecting in some unimpaired ancient building and its atmosphere as the main tourist object of Yogyakarta.

There is Masjid Sokotunggal, a unique mosque with a single pillar that is different from Javanese traditional architecture. Although built in the early of XX century, the mosque gives another attraction of this area. Kampung Taman that lies in the Tamansari complex nearby known for the batik craft. Visitor can buy or watch handmade process for both batik painting and batik clothes, also puppet shadow as known as wayang. Therefore people from all over Indonesia and abroad have visited this village. All of those attractions have made Tamansari become one of main tourist object besides Yogyakarta palace.

KERATON - The Palace of the Sultan of Yogyakarta

The Beautiful Palace in Yogyakarta, It is located in the center of the city of Yogyakarta or just Yogya as the local people call it. Keraton means a place where the Ratu-king lives, other word is Kedaton, with the same meaning. In the Javanese teachings, it has a deep philosophical meaning.

The architect designer of this palace was Sultan Hamengkubuwono I.Himself, who was also the founder of the kingdom of NGAYOGYAKARTA HADININGRAT. His skill in architecture was appreciated by the dutch scientist - DR. Pigeund and DR. Adam who adored him as ” the architect of his brother-Pakubuwono II of Surakarta”.

The first king moved to his huge and magnificent Karaton on October 7, 1756. Although there are some European style of some parts of the building, structurally this is the vivid example of Javanese palace architecture.

The 14.000 sq. m of the Karaton Yogya has deep philosophical meaning with all its building, courts, carving, trees, and location. This is a Karaton full of significant symbols of human life.

Pancasila

Portrait  of ‘Pancasila’ seller, Mr. Rohman Santoso, 

who has been selling this for 20 years.

Yogyakarta, June 2011.

sunset at Jakarta's corner