THE KASUNANAN PALACE
The Kasunanan Palace, also called the kraton Surakarta Hadiningrat, was built in 1745 by King Pakubuwono II. It is decorated with marble statues, gilded columns, and ancient relics. Inside the Palace or Kraton, can be found a fascinating art gallery and museum with exhibitions of royal heirlooms, palace-carriages and coaches, ancient weapons and daggers (kerises), and precious antiques. The courtyard of the kraton is dominated by an impressive tower named Panggung Songgobuwono, The Tower of the Universe. According to tradition, this tower was the mysterious meeting place of the Kings and Nyai Roro Kidul, the Goddes of the Southern Sea. Nowhere in Indonesia can there be found a more dignified and peaceful monument to the traditions, art, and culture of the classical Javanese Kingdoms.
THE PURA MANGKUNEGARAN
The Mangkunegaran Palace is another superb repository of classical Javanese art and culture. Prince Mangkunegoro II began its construction at the end of the 18th century. The Palace occupies an area of 10.000 square meters. Constructed in the Joglo style of traditional Javanese architecture, the royal estate contains numerious, priceless theasures, mostly from the Majapahit (1293-1478) and Mataram (1586-1755) empire eras: an exquisite collection of classical dance masks, wayang orang (dance drama) costumes, leather and wooden
wayang puppets, religiousicons, jewelry, and uncountable other antiques and heirlooms. There is also an internationally famous gamelan (the instruments of the Javanese classical orchestra) brought to Solo from Demak, the former centre of the Demak Kingdom (1500-1568), in 1778, which traditionally was played only on special occasions for ceremonis and affairs of state, but which now can be heard every Wednesday during dance rehearsals. Within this magnificent palace is the Reksobudoyo Library where rare volumes of literature, religion and philosopy written in Javanese characters are preserved.
SRIWEDARI PARK
Inspired by a story about a mythical park in heaven, King Pakubuwono X originally created the Sriwedari Park as a resort and recreational center for the Royal family. Locally referred to as Kebun Rojo, or the "King`s Garden", the park now offers a number of amusement facilities, for children and adults, along with several cinemas, numerous small restaurants offering local cuisine, a museum, and many souvenir stands. But, the most populer attraction at Sriwedari is the nightly program of Wayang Orang, the live Wayang dance dramas, performed by the top Wayang dancers and singers in Indonesia. There is also a month-long evening bazaar held in the park prior to the celebration of Idul Fitri, the Muslim holiday at the end of the fasting month.
THE RADYAPUSTAKA MUSEUM
Built in 1890, this museum houses a diverse assortment of centuries-old Mataram artifacts, exquisitely-crafted hand made Kerises, a remarkable collection of Wayang puppets, and a Library of Dutch and Javanese books. It is the oldest and Largest museum in Central Java.
THE KLEWER TEXTILE MARKET
Next to the northern square of the Sultan`s Palace is Java`s largest Batik center, a shopper`s delight for all kinds of fabrics, ranging from the traditional Lurik (a handwoven, striped cotton cloth) to batik, to modern fabrics. Priced are not fixed and bargaining is expected.
THE TAWANGMANGU RESORT
At an altitude of 1200 meters on the western slope of Mount Lawu is the holiday resort of Tawangmangu, famed for its fresh, cool mountain air, and breath-taking panorama of the verdant ricefield terraces and sugarcane plantations. It is extremly refreshing ti hike through the towering pine trees to the crystal clear waterfall, Grojogan Sewu, or to take a horseback ride through the rain forest hills inhabited by wild monkeys.
SUKUH TEMPLE
Built during the twilight years of the glorious Majapahit Kingdom, this strange, mysterious temple is utterly different in mood and in architecture from the temple elsewhere in Java. Located on the western slope of Mount Lawu, 910 meters above sea level, the main building is reminiscent of the Mayan.
The Kasunanan Palace, also called the kraton Surakarta Hadiningrat, was built in 1745 by King Pakubuwono II. It is decorated with marble statues, gilded columns, and ancient relics. Inside the Palace or Kraton, can be found a fascinating art gallery and museum with exhibitions of royal heirlooms, palace-carriages and coaches, ancient weapons and daggers (kerises), and precious antiques. The courtyard of the kraton is dominated by an impressive tower named Panggung Songgobuwono, The Tower of the Universe. According to tradition, this tower was the mysterious meeting place of the Kings and Nyai Roro Kidul, the Goddes of the Southern Sea. Nowhere in Indonesia can there be found a more dignified and peaceful monument to the traditions, art, and culture of the classical Javanese Kingdoms.
THE PURA MANGKUNEGARAN
The Mangkunegaran Palace is another superb repository of classical Javanese art and culture. Prince Mangkunegoro II began its construction at the end of the 18th century. The Palace occupies an area of 10.000 square meters. Constructed in the Joglo style of traditional Javanese architecture, the royal estate contains numerious, priceless theasures, mostly from the Majapahit (1293-1478) and Mataram (1586-1755) empire eras: an exquisite collection of classical dance masks, wayang orang (dance drama) costumes, leather and wooden
SRIWEDARI PARK
Inspired by a story about a mythical park in heaven, King Pakubuwono X originally created the Sriwedari Park as a resort and recreational center for the Royal family. Locally referred to as Kebun Rojo, or the "King`s Garden", the park now offers a number of amusement facilities, for children and adults, along with several cinemas, numerous small restaurants offering local cuisine, a museum, and many souvenir stands. But, the most populer attraction at Sriwedari is the nightly program of Wayang Orang, the live Wayang dance dramas, performed by the top Wayang dancers and singers in Indonesia. There is also a month-long evening bazaar held in the park prior to the celebration of Idul Fitri, the Muslim holiday at the end of the fasting month.
THE KLEWER TEXTILE MARKET
THE TAWANGMANGU RESORT
At an altitude of 1200 meters on the western slope of Mount Lawu is the holiday resort of Tawangmangu, famed for its fresh, cool mountain air, and breath-taking panorama of the verdant ricefield terraces and sugarcane plantations. It is extremly refreshing ti hike through the towering pine trees to the crystal clear waterfall, Grojogan Sewu, or to take a horseback ride through the rain forest hills inhabited by wild monkeys.
SUKUH TEMPLEBuilt during the twilight years of the glorious Majapahit Kingdom, this strange, mysterious temple is utterly different in mood and in architecture from the temple elsewhere in Java. Located on the western slope of Mount Lawu, 910 meters above sea level, the main building is reminiscent of the Mayan.
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