The palace court with its grand and elegant Javanese architecture lies in the centre of the city. It was founded Prince Mangkubumi in 1755. The Prince was then called Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono I. He chose the right location of the compound between the Winongo River and the Code River. The palace streches 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 lay out of the buildings shows that the Palace, the commemorative column and Mount Merapi lie in on line.
The palace meeting hall is called the Pagelaran, where formal meetings of palace officials are held, while the “Manguntur Tangkil” hall is the place where the Sultan is seated.
The palace visitors can enjoy the atmosphere of the kraton in formertimes by visiting the lifesize diorama of wedding ceremonies on the palace meeting, 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.
The palace court with its grand and elegant Javanese architecture lies in the center of the city. Prince Mangkubumi founded the palace in 1755. The Prince then was called Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono I and he chose the right location of the compound between Winongo River and 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 Pagelaran, where formal meetings of palace officials are held, while the “Manguntur Tingkil” hall is the place where the Sultan is seated.
The 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. Many sets of gamelan music instruments, antiques, and heirlooms make the palace of Yogyakarta the most interesting tourist attractions in Yogyakarta. The palace of Ngayogyokarto Hadiningrat is now the dwelling place of Sultan Hamengku Buwono X and the family.
West of the palace, there is Water Castle, built in 1758 by the prince, Sultan Hamengkubuwono I. The Water Castle is located in the older part of the city within walking distance from the Bird Market. Part of the 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. A number of batik workshops line the avenue leading to the pleasure garden’s entrance.
BARON BEACH
Baron beach lies in Kemandang Village, Tanjungsari district about 23 km in the South of Wonosari city. Baron beach is the first beach that would be found in the junction of Baron, Kukup, Sepanjang, Drini, Krakal and Sundak beaches area. It is a bay with big wave. Baron beach is popular as fish catching area. There is a mouth of Underground River that can be used for bathing after playing in the beach. The visitors can also enjoy various kinds of low prices seafood or fresh fish and Baron’s special menu namely Kakap fish soup. There is limestone hill in this area. The visitors can reach that place by passing through a path. The way to go there is very interesting because it passes a place called Pegunungan Seribu (a thousand mountains).
Visitors could have a magnificent view of the beach; about 10 kilometers in the West of Baron beach there are Parang Racuk hill with its mountain slopes. It challenged the visitors to do some adventures. Every syuro month (the first month of Javanese calendar), the fisherman societies organized a Labuhan sea ceremony, to express their gratitude to the God for the abundant fish harvest and for the welfare in fishing.
KUKUP BEACH
Kukup Beach is a white sandy beach lies in Kemadang village, Tanjungsari district, about 1 km away in the east of Baron beach. It has a pathway trough the hill up to Baron beach and also a coral island, which is connected by a senggol bridge. Kukup Beach, grey black sand dunes, treacherous ocean currents and jagged rocks. This beach is located near Baron Beach, only 1 km east.
Kukup beach is rich in sea life and also famous of its various kinds of beautiful fish in sea aquarium or various kinds of beautiful fishes that sold by the merchants along the beach. There are hall (pendopo), cottage and other facilities in this area. Just like in Baron beach, this beach also performs a sea offering ceremony every Syuro. Kukup Beach, see from the Rock Hill Island with a gazebo, at the east part of the areas can access with climb a several set of natural staircase through the bridge along to the rock island.
KRAKAL BEACH
Go to the next beach, about 6 kilometers from Kukup beach, we will find Krakal beach- a white sand beach stretch along 5 kilometers. Krakal beach the longest beach of the junction is located in Ngestirejo village, Tanjungsari district, about 3 km away in the east of Baron-Kukup-Sepanjang-Drini beach junction, has scratching white hill with blue slopes gently to the sea. The beauty of green lime-scratching hill with blue seawater offers a perfect harmony, which is very natural and ideal for sun bathing. Krakal beach mostly is a white sandy beach in Yogyakarta area. There’s a development now because of its beautiful panorama of the southern sea. It should be careful here because it has big wave and the texture of the beach which are rocks meet the sands.
Among all the beaches that stretch along Java beaches, Krakal with its white sandy beach surrounded with mountainous rocky hills is the most beautiful one. Krakal is close to Kukup beach and Baron cove. This cove is in fact an estuary of an underground river that comes up exactly at the waterfront. It is interesting to observe the combination of the beach and the cove from the protruding rocky hills that flank the caves on both sides.
DRINI BEACH
Drini beach, which lies in Ngestirejo village, Tanjungsari district, is located about 1 km away in the east of Sepanjang Beach. The special character of this beach is the coral island with Drini trees on it. As it is said, poisonous snakes avoid this Drini tree wood.
NGRENEHAN BEACH
Ngrenehan beach is located at Kanigoro village, Saptosari district, about 30 km at the south of Wonosari city. This beach is gulf that guarded by limestone hill and amazing panorama with the sea waves struck white sand. The visitors could see the fisherman’s activities and get various fried or grill fishes as souvenirs. In this area about 1 km west of this beach there are Ngobaran and Nguyahan beaches. Every month when the moon is full, Hindu people do a Melasty ceremony at Ngobaran beach.
NGOBARAN BEACH
Ngobaran Beach is located at Gunung Kidul region, 50km from Yogyakarta. This is a pure beach with a number of marine attractions to explore. When the tide is low around 3 in the morning, the visitors can join the local fishermen to collect seaweeds or go fishing for stranded fish between the reefs at the beach. The overall panorama creates some unexplainable yet peaceful feelings. Some believe that somewhere in the beach lie the remains of King Brawijaya fort and his men ?Sabdo Palon Ngoyogenggong?. Other uniqueness of this beach includes a cave, which leads its explorers to a striking underground stream.
Going to Ngrenehan Beach and enjoying the grilled fish will be complete if we drop by Ngobaran Beach that is located adjacent to it. The location of the beach with high cliff is around two kilometers from Ngrenehan Beach. The local people of Ngrenehan Beach even talk and visit Ngobaran Beach.
Ngobaran is such an exotic beach. When the seawater had falls, we can see the spread of both green and brown seaweed. When it looked from the top, the spread of the algae growing in coral reef looks like spread of rice field in a densely populated area. Tens of sea animal species also present in between the coral reef, ranging from sea urchin, starfish, to various types of cockleshells.
PARANGTRITIS BEACH
One of the attractive beaches near Yogyakarta is Parangtritis. It is located about 27 km. from Yogyakarta, Parangtritis may be reached in two ways, through Kretek Village or the longer one but more well – established road through Imogiri and Siluk Village. Parangtritis Beach is a lovely beach with many impressing phenomena, naturally and supra naturally. The waves regularly bring in new wood and bamboo, washing ashore from another nearby beach probably. Some wood is picked and taken away by locals to be used for their own house. Parangtritis is an enchanting sloping beach combined with rocky hills, dunes, and a white sandy beach. Besides being famous as a recreational spot. Parangtritis is also a sacred place. Many people come to the beach to do meditation. Up to now, this area is remaining functioned as the place to perform the traditional ceremony called labuhan. Many hotels and restaurants are available for sunbathe lovers.
It is said that the name of Parangtritis is expresses a natural phenomenon. From the wall of one of the hills drops off water containing calcium continuously dripped down and finally formed a pool with very clear water in it. Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono Vll found and took care of it. The pool is now used as the bathing pool of Parangtritis swimming pool. Meanwhile, the sunset at any point of Parangtritis beach brings a touch of wonderful and amazing as well. The magical atmosphere of the rough waves appears to as all hearts into disposing of all bustles and lead into deep musing.
SADENG BEACH
Bengawan Solo river estuary is in this beach and also the place of a nationally fishing ship landing berth, which supports the need of Yogyakarta city. Sadeng beach lies in Songbanyu and Pucung village, Girisubo district, about 46 kilometers away from Wonosari city. The crowd of fisherman’s village with their activities is another attraction in Sadeng Beach. Besides, the visitors also can enjoy seafood or even bring fresh fish as a small presents.
SIUNG BEACH
Siung beach is located in Purwodadi Village, Tepus district, about 35 kilometers from Wonosari City with asphalt road to the beach. Siung beach lies between Two-step Mountains, which have a specific cliff. It’s very suitable for rock climbing and this is heaven for climbers because they have at least 250 climb ways with beautiful sea panorama. It is nice rock climbing with rumbling waves and fresh sea wind blow. In this area ever to organize Asian Climbing Gathering that followed by 80 participants from 15 Asia’s Countries, namely Thailand, Japan, China, Malaysia, etc. There are treasuring farmlands that surrounded by a habitat of primates (monkey with long tail).
WEDIOMBO-BEACH
Wediombo Beach is a bay with white sand, which slopes gently to the sea, and it can be seen from the hill or even from the shore. Visitors can enjoy perfect sunset scenery from here. Wediombo beach is a natural beach with beautiful scenery. It lies in Jepitu village, Girisubo district, about 40 km in the south east of Wonosari city. It’s a bay with white sand, which slopes gently to the sea, and it can be seen from the hill or even from the shore. The visitors can enjoy perfect sunset scenery from here and the fresh air is very good for the respiratory organs. For the visitors who have fishing hoby, Wediombo beach is a perfect choice. In a certain many of Panjo fish appear along the beach. It’s a kind of fishing ceremony. In this ceremony, people use gawar, made from wawar tree’s root as a net. The wawar tree’s root is staked from Kedungdowok hill and pulled together into the sea by wediombo people.
In one area with Wediombo beach, there is Gremeng beach, Jungwok beach and kalong island (a small island inhibited by thousands of kalong). This island can be reach by tracing trough a pathway, about 1,5 km to the east.
SEPANJANG BEACH
Sepanjang Beach is one of newly opened beaches. The name ‘Sepanjang’ which means ‘long’ derives from the characteristic of the beach that has the longest coastal lines of all beaches in Gunung Kidul. The atmosphere of this beach is so natural. The seaside is decorated with palm trees and huts roofed with dry leaves. The coral reef in the rise and fall of tides area is kept well. The dashes of waves reflect blue color signaling uncontaminated seawater. With such a situation, it is not false if the local government and investors plan to make this beach as the second Kuta Beach. Sepanjang has long coastal lines, clean water sands, and medium waves. We can just choose: suns bathing under the bright sun, surfing, or just enjoy the beach beauty. We can enjoy all the things when we come to the beach that lies some kilometers from Sundak Beach.
GEBANG TEMPLE
Gebang Temple is located on Condongcatur Region, south of Gebang Village, Ngemplak, Sleman. It is about 11 Kilometer from Yogyakarta town center. Gebang Temple (Gebang Temple) was established in early Central Java Age (about years 730 – 800). It’s background of establishing, however, has remained a mystery. Gebang Temple, Jogyakarta, a blend of Buddha-Hindu temple. A Ganesha enchased on its architecture. This Temple has several peculiar features that can’t find on other Hindu’s temples; such as peak of the Temple is formed “lingga” stand over “Seroja” flower. The Ganesha Statue inside the chamber sat over “Yoni”, and inside the main chamber that usually placed by worship God, here content a “lingga”. Another peculiar feature is there is no stair connected to main chamber, so this main chamber difficult to reach.
MENDUT TEMPLE
Mendut Temple is the older temple than Borobudur Temple. There are stories for children on its walls. It is located 1 km to the east of Pawon temple. There are magnificent statues of Buddha inside the temples. For Waisak ceremony, the offering and the praying start in this temple.
Mendut Temple is frequently used to celebrate the Waisak day every May full moon and the pilgrims from Indonesia and all parts of the world come to this ceremony. Its architecture is square, and have an entrance on its steps. Its roof is also square and terraced. There are stupas (= bell-shaped structures) on it.
PAWON TEMPLE
Pawon Temple is not a grave but as a place to keep King Indra’s weapon namely Vajranala. Tiny temple 2 km east of Borobudur, contains a Buddha statue. The temple’s style and the relief carved on the wall resemble most Javanese Hindu Temple. Pawon Temple is one and half kilometers westward from Mendut Temple and eastward from Borobudur Temple; it is also a Buddhist temple. When appreciating in detail, its sculpture is the beginning of Borobudur sculpture.
This temple was built with volcanic stones. Architecturally it is a blend of old Javanese Hindu and Indian art. Pawon temple is exactly in the central point of the straight line stretched from Borobudur to Mendut Temple. Perhaps it was built for kubera. It is on a wide rather terrace with steps. All parts are decorated with stupa(s) on dagoba(s) and its outside walls with symbolic pictures.
PRAMBANAN TEMPLE
This is the most famous and also the most magnificent of Central Java’s temples or more precisely complex of temples. Situated about 15 kilometers from Yogyakarta, the top of the main shrine is visible from a great distance and rises high above the scattered ruins of the former temples. Prambanan is the masterpiece of Hindu culture of the tenth century. The slim building soaring up to 47 meters makes its beautiful architecture incomparable. Seventeen kilometers east of Yogyakarta, King Balitung Maha Sambu built the Prambanan temple in the middle of the ninth century. Its parapets are adorned with bas-reliefs depicting the famous Ramayana story. This magnificent Shivaite temple derives it name from the village where it is located.
Prambanan Temple is locally known as the Roro Jonggrang Temple, or the Temple of the “Slender Virgin”, it is the biggest and most beautiful Hindu temple in Indonesia. The temple complex of Prambanan lies among green fields and villages. It has eight shrines, of which the three main ones are dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. The main temple of Shiva rises to a height of 130 feet and houses the magnificent statue of Shiva’s consort, Durga. There are 224 temples in the complex; three of them, the main temples are Brahma Temple in the north, Vishnu Temple in the south, and the biggest among the three which lies between Brahma and Vishnu temples is Shiva Temple (47 meters high).
Two theatres have provided the temple. Enjoy sunrise behind the glory of Prambanan Temple. Visitors should be at the location – in the area of The Open Air Theater and archaeological park of the temple – before sunrise at about 5:00 o’clock in the morning. The First open-air theatre was built on the southern side of the temple in 1960 and the second was built on the western side of the temple in 1988. During full moon evenings in the month from May to October, the Ramayana ballet is performed right here. Perhaps one of the most majestic temples in the South-East Asia, Prambanan attracts many admirers each year from abroad.
KALASAN TEMPLE
Kalasan Temple is built in Kalasan village about 2 km west of Prambanan, 15 km from Yogyakarta. _It is dedicated to a Buddhist Goddess, TARA. It is 6 meters tall and has 52 stupas. This unique Buddhist temple is located east of Yogyakarta, on the south side of the main road between Yogyakarta and Solo. It was built in honor of the marriage between king Pancapana of Sanjaya Dynasty and a Princess of Syailendra Dynasty, named Dyah Pramudya Wardhani. It is beautifully ornamented with finely carved relief and coated with “vajralepa”, a yellowish material made from the sap of a certain tree. The vajralepa functioned as an adhesive and as protection against moss and mildew, while at the same time it refined the carvings. This temple is 24 m high and its base built in the form of a Greek cross.
SEWU TEMPLE
Sewu Temple is located 2 km north of Prambanan Temple. This is the second largest Buddhist Temple complex in Java; Restoration is professionally underway to reach its original form. It is a MANDALA, manifesting the universe in the center temple of Mahadeva, surrounded by four rings of 250 smaller temples of Gods. Sewu Temple complex is located in Prambanan Temple Park area, about 800 meters to the north of Rara Jongrang Temples. The fact that this temple was built near Prambanan Temple, which is a Hindu temple, indicated that the Hindus and Buddhists lived in harmony.
The main temple has 1 main room and 4 small rooms of which are doorways to the temple. The east door serves as main door to the main room. That way, the main temple faces to the east. The structure has 9 ‘roofs’; each of them forms a stupa on the top. It is believed to be a royal temple and was one of the religious activity centers in the past. Based on the inscription dated back to 792 AD, which was found in 1960, the name of the temple complex was probably “Manjus’rigrha” (The House of Manjusri). Manjusri is one of Boddhisatva in Buddhist teaching. Sewu Temple was probably built in the 8th century at the end of Rakai Panangkaran administration. Rakai Panangkaran (746 AD – 784 AD) was a popular king from the old Mataram kingdom. HC Cornelius studied the temple firstly in 1807. NJ Krom did the first archeological study in 1923.
SONOBUDOYO MUSEUM
This museum is founded in November 1935 and designed by the Dutch architect Kersten. This Museum is built in traditional Javanese architecture. It exhibits weapons, leather and wooden puppets of Wayang Theater, masks, statues, textiles, curios and old Javanese gamelan instruments. The museum is situated on the northern side of the city’s main square in front of the Sultan’s Palace. Sonobudoyo museum is located on the north side of the North Square of Sultan’s Palace. It was built in 1935 according to Javanese architecture. The architecture of gateway resembles to the entrance of the mosque in Kudus in the way to the auditorium and main Joglo structure, which are connected, while Kudus is the most ancient town in Java Island beside Kotagede. The museum has the second most complete collection of cultural artifacts after the central museum in Jakarta, like ceramic from the Neolithic Age, statues and bronze articles from the 8th, 9th and 10th century originating from Central Java temples, various kinds of masks and wayang (puppet for shadow play), a gamelan or orchestra, an ancient weapon collection, the looms and artifacts from Bali. This museum is also an interesting library that keeps various ancient books related to the Javanese culture.
KOTA GEDE
Kota Gede, which is often called Sargede is located about five kilometers southeast of Yogyakarta, Kotagede is a neat little town, which was once the seat of the mighty Mataram Empire. Since the 1930s, Kotagede has become famous for being the center of the Yogya silverwork industry. There are a number of workshops where visitors are welcome to watch silver being transformed into beautiful works of art known as “Yogya Silver”. Kotagede is easily reached by “andong”, the four-wheeled horse-drawn cart, by taxi, bus, or car.
In that cemetery complex one can still visit the cemetery of the Mataram kings like Sutowijoyo or Ngabei Loring Pasar, the founder of Mataram Kingdom, who was then called Panembahan Senopati. There is also the unique tomb of Ki Ageng Mangir. He was Panembahan Senopati son in law and also Panembahan Senopati enemy. His dead body was buried half inside of the special area for kings and Panembahan Senopati families, and a half of his body was buried outside of the complex. There is a stone called ” Watu Gilang “, a stone on which Panembahan Senopati smashed the Ki Ageng Mangir head to dead.
Those who want to go inside the cemetery have to wear traditional clothes that one can hire at the place. Kota Gede Royal cemetery is open on Monday at. 10.00 am – 12.00 am, and Friday at 01.30 pm. – 04.00 pm. In addition to the cemetery, there are also graceful gates, a pond full of Clarius Melanodermas and a yellow turtle. This turtle is hundred years of age and people believe it as a sacred miraculous turtle.
Since the 1930s, however, Kotagede has become famous for being the centre of the Yogya silverwork industry. Kotagede is easily reached by “among”, 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”.
KALIURANG
This resort is located on the slopes of Mt. Merapi, 24 km north of Yogyakarta and surrounded by an enchanting countryside. “Telogo Muncar” waterfall and swimming pool make this resort a very pleasant recreation place. Kaliurang lies at the foot of Plawangan hill on the southern slope of mount Merapi, some 28 km, north of Yogyakarta. This is a refreshing holiday resort for those seeking refuge and tranquility amidst the lush green tropical splendor.
Many people visit Kaliurang, especially during the holidays. Young people, like boy scouts, enjoy going there since the town provides camping sites and places for mountaineering. Those who like mountain climbing can climb Merapi Mountain from Kaliurang. One can stay overnight in Kaliurang then start, in the early morning, climbs Merapi via Kinahrejo village to descend again at noon.
When the weather is clear, a spectacular sight of the panoramic view that covers the surrounding forest of Plawangan and Kaliurang, and the rolling green countryside that fades into the distant misty horizon of the blue Indian Ocean can be seen easily. The best time to view the mountain is shortly after sunrise (before 09.00 o’clock), when the early morning light starts lifting up the shroud of mist around its peak.
MERAPI VOLCANOE
Merapi volcano is one of the world’s most active and dangerous volcanoes. It contains an active lava dome, which regularly produces pyroclastic flows. It has been active for 10,000 years. This fire mountain remains one of the most active and dangerous volcanoes in the world. It can be seen from its name; Merapi from Javanese word ‘Meru’ means ‘Mountain’ and ‘Api’ means ‘fire’. The internally giant smoking Mount Merapi is one of the active volcanoes that found in Indonesia. It is presenting its peaceful and sleepy dense forest.
Beyond this, there lies a vast deserted land with its deep and steep valley spread out among the mountain hills where sibilant pines and wild grass make out the dominating vegetation, all presents a very exciting panorama. Merapi is located about 30 km north of Yogyakarta, a city with a population of 500,000. It is tall (2.8 km or 1.7 miles high) and has steep slopes. The top of the volcano sometimes has a normal crater, but usually a broad mound of pasty lava (called a dome) fills the crater. The dome plugs up the volcano, making it difficult for other lava and ash to escape. A broad gouge funnels lava and ash flows from the top of Merapi to the south slopes of the volcano.
During its resting time of volcanic activities, it will enable those who have much interest in mountaineering to have fun and to make them more acquainted with the flora of its tropical rain forest. From the observation post located on Plawangan hill that can be reached through the forest resort of Kaliurang, we will see the incredible sights of molten rocks oozing over the rim, sometimes accompanied with hot lava pouring out regularly and leaving a long trail of smoke.
IMOGIRI
Imogiri is the official cemetery of the royal descendents from Yogyakarta and Surakarta. This cemetery located on a beautiful hill about 12 km from Yogyakarta. The royal graveyard is reachable by 345 stone steps leading to it. Imogiri is about 17 km Southeast of Yogyakarta and easily accessible by the bus of car. The tombs are built within three main courtyards. This Graveyard is the tomb of Sultan Agung Hanyokrokusumo, the third king of the Islamic Mataram Kingdom. All the kings of the Mataram Kingdom, from Sultan Hamengku Buwono I until Hamengku Buwono IX and their families as the Surakarta Kingdoms as well were all buried at the Imogiri Royal Cemetery.
This cemetery was built in 1645. Everyday many people visit Imogiri and step up on 345 stairs to reach the top of the hill where the tomb of the kings rested. Entry into the smaller courtyards housing the tombs of the princes is allowed, but the tomb can only be visited only on Monday 09.00 – 12.00 and Friday 13.00 – 16.00. The visitors must wear the traditional Javanese dress, which however can be hired on the spot at a modest fee. The cemetery is closed during the Moslem month of Ramadhan.
