SURAKARTA HADININGRAT PALACE

As one of the Javanese cultural sites, Kasunanan Surakarta Palace is still standing firmly as monument of glory of the old Javanese culture with a charming touch of Europe.

SURAKARTA HADININGRAT PALACE
Baluwarti Village, Kliwon Market District, Surakarta

SURAKARTA HADININGRAT PALACE - Old Javanese Palace with European Touch


Surakarta Hadiningrat Palace or later known as Kasunanan Surakarta Palace has been standing since hundreds of years ago. This palace is the "successor" of the Islamic Mataram Kingdom. After several times moving the palace from Kotagede, Pleret until Kartasura, pemberontakan kuning or the yellow rebellion by Chinese forced Mataram to move its palace to the village of Sala. Internal conflict and the Dutch intervention then divided this kingdom into Kasunanan Surakarta and Yogyakarta Sultanate in 1755 through Giyanti Agreement.


zuxma.com journey began from the north gate of the palace, Gladag Gate. The gate is guarded by two statues of Dwarapala armed with cudgels. Down the road shaded by old Banyan trees on either side, we arrived at the North Square. Like the typical style of an old town, Kasunanan Surakarta Palace is located in the same complex with the Square and the Great Mosque. A big Pendapa (traditional Javanese building) stands just across the square, while the main palace building is behind the Pendapa. Inside the main building, there's a museum that used to be an office complex in Pakubowono X reign. The museum is divided into nine exhibition halls contain various kinds of objects and heritage relics of the palace, traditional art diorama and the royal wedding ceremony complete with variety of equipments.

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A narrow passage connected the museum with the main palace complex. To respect the customs and traditions, we are not allowed to wear shorts, sandals, sunglasses, and shirts without sleeves. We have to walk barefoot on the sand that said was taken from the South Coast. Sawo Kecik trees shaded the yard cooling down the air. In exegesis, the name of the tree is interpreted as a symbol which means sarwo becik or all good. The interesting fact is European statues that adorn the palace, creating a combination of ancient Javanese architecture and European touch. Those sculptures were gifts from the Netherlands who had very close relation with Kasunanan Surakarta. There is a tall tower on the south of the court named Panggung Songgobuwono, the landmark of this historical place.


Wanted to see more about the palace, we asked a pedicab to drive around the entire palace complex. Sitting in a pedicab enjoying the palace neighborhood is such a different experience. Arrived at the South Square, we saw two old trains parked there, the King Cruise Train and a Hearse. But these trains are no longer functioned; the rail-track has turned into settlements. On the other side of square, a herd of white buffalo which known as Kyai Slamet buffalo were grazing. Those buffalos are considered sacred by the people of Solo and always paraded on Sekatenan Carnival and also carnival of the night of 1 Sura.


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Opening Hours
Monday to Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 02:00 p.m
Saturday to Sunday: 09:00 a.m to 01:00 p.m


Ticketing
Ward Performances: IDR 2,500
Museum: IDR 8,000
Permission camera / video: IDR 3,500