It feels like a vacation to Yogyakarta is incomplete if you haven't seen the palace building firsthand.
Located in the center of Yogyakarta, it's no secret that the Yogyakarta Palace is a physical form of Javanese cultural identity that still stands firmly today.
A Brief History of Yogyakarta Palace
The establishment of the Yogyakarta Palace is inseparable from the Giyanti Agreement on February 13, 1755. The agreement was signed by the VOC, Surakarta Sunanate, and Ngayogyakarta Sultanate (Yogyakarta Palace).
Based on the agreement, all of them agreed to divide the Islamic Mataram Kingdom into two, namely Surakarta Sunanate under Pakubuwono III and Ngayogyakarta Sultanate under Mangkubumi or Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono I. After the division, the Yogyakarta Palace had some obligations to help the VOC.
After the division, the Yogyakarta Palace had some obligations to help the VOC and the Surakarta Sunanate. <The Yogyakarta Palace was obliged to sell foodstuffs to the Company at a certain price, hand over Madura and the coastal areas to the Company, and obey all agreements that had been previously agreed upon.
Meanwhile, to Pakubuwono III, the Yogyakarta Palace must be ready to help if requested as reinforcements.
Later, when building the Yogyakarta Palace, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono I designed the building and layout of the palace himself. Not only as a residence for the royal family, he also made the palace function as the center of government, culture, and spirituality of the community.
To this day, the Yogyakarta Palace is still the residence of the royal family, currently led by Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, and is still a cultural center and is used as a venue for traditional ceremonies, such as the much-anticipated Grebeg Maulud.
Meaningful Design of Yogyakarta Palace
Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono I built every corner of the building and room in the palace using Javanese cosmology.
This can be seen from the layout of the Yogyakarta Palace which is made in harmony with one of the philosophies that reads 'Sangkan Paraning Dumadi'. The philosophy means the origin of life and human purpose.
While, Sultan Hamengkubuwono I made the main building of the Yogyakarta Palace which includes Pagelaran Ward, Kencono Ward, and Kedaton Nation following the imagine liner between Mount Merapi and the South Sea. This layout is said to symbolize the balance of the universe.
In addition, the ornaments in the Yogyakarta Palace were also designed by Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono with several typical Javanese colors such as yellow, gold, and green. These colors are combined with typical batik motifs so that they have aesthetic value and a philosophy of life for the people of Yogyakarta.
3 Reasons Why You Should Visit the Yogyakarta Palace
Keraton Yogyakarta is more than just a historical building. It has become one of Indonesia's most important cultural icons.
For those of you who want to experience the streets while immersing yourself in Javanese cultural life from the past, here are the reasons why Keraton Yogyakarta is a great place to visit:
1. Authentic Javanese Culture
Although not all areas of the Yogyakarta Palace are free to visit, those of you who see can still take a walk in the Palace complex.
Later, here visitors will see firsthand the activities of abdi dalem (palace employees) who still wear traditional Javanese clothing, such as beskap, blangkon, and jarik.
Until now, the duties of Abdi Dalem have been to guard the keraton area, prepare for traditional ceremonies, and explain and provide information to guests who come to the Keraton.
Interestingly, if you come here, you will also feel how solemn the abdi dalem carry out their duties. The presence of Abdi Dalem also shows that the Javanese tradition in the Yogyakarta Palace is still preserved.
2. Check out the Historical Collection at the Palace Museum
For those of you who don't know, the Yogyakarta Palace has a museum that can be visited by the public.
The museum holds various royal collections such as royal heirlooms, chariots, gamelan, and gift items from Indonesia's friendly countries.
All the collections stored are silent witnesses to the long story of the Yogyakarta palace as the center of Javanese civilization.
3. Traditional Arts
Yogyakarta Palace also offers art performances such as Javanese classical dance, shadow puppetry, and gamelan music performances that can be enjoyed by visitors.
All of these performances are usually held in Srimanganti Ward, a building in the palace that functions as a venue for arts and cultural performances.
The show usually takes place in Srimanganti Ward at 10 am every day. However, the schedule may change depending on certain situations and conditions.
How to Get to Yogyakarta Palace?
Getting to Keraton Yogyakarta is very easy as it is located in the heart of Yogyakarta, precisely on Jalan Rotowijayan, Keraton District. If you are already in the Malioboro area, you can get to the Keraton in various ways.
1. Walking (about 10 minutes)
Walking is one of the most enjoyable ways to get to the Palace because you can look around and feel the nuances of Yogyakarta and see the beauty of the city.
The trick is, from the southern end of Malioboro, you walk towards the North Square. From there, you can enter the southwest direction following the signboard to the Palace. The journey is only about 800 meters to 1 km.
2. Take Trans Jogja
If walking is not your thing, you can take the Trans Jogja route 1B (Prambanan Terminal - Malioboro - Jogja City Mall) or 2B (Jombor - Malioboro - Giwangan Terminal) and get off at Ahmad Yani stop or Malioboro 1 stop.
After that you can continue your journey by becak, or ojek. Trans Jogja itself costs only Rp3,500, perfect for backpackers or budget travelers.
3. Take a Becak or Andong
From Malioboro or around North Square, you can take a traditional becak or andong (horse cart). Besides being iconic, it provides an authentic Jogja experience.
You can bargain the fare directly, usually ranging from Rp20,000 to Rp50,000 depending on the distance.
Taking a becak or andong is no less exciting, as you can enjoy the atmosphere of Yogyakarta in a more relaxed and unique way. Along the way, the sights of the old city and the distinctive sounds of these traditional vehicles make for a warm and memorable experience.
4. Online Taxi or Motorcycle Rental
Grab, Gojek, and other online motorcycle taxis are easy to find in the city area. The cost is relatively cheap, around Rp12,000 to Rp15,000. It depends on the minimum rate that applies when you visit Yogyakarta.
If you choose to rent a motorbike daily, it will cost around Rp75,000/day. This is the right choice if you want to travel around the city more freely.
Tips for Visiting Yogyakarta Palace
To make your visit to Keraton Yogyakarta even more memorable, here are some tips, such as when is the right time to come and what are the rules that must be understood before visiting:
1. Best Time to Come
The recommended time to enjoy and explore Yogyakarta Palace is in the morning between 9 am and 11 am. During this time, the weather is still cool, and art performances are usually still taking place.
2. Wear Modest Clothes
For the people of Yogyakarta, the palace is a sacred place full of solemnity. Therefore, wear polite and comfortable clothes when coming here.
3. Entrance Ticket
The entrance ticket price of Yogyakarta Palace is still relatively cheap. Local visitors are charged an entrance fee of Rp15 thousand, while foreign visitors are charged Rp25 thousand.
Time to Take a Vacation to Yogyakarta Palace
Keraton Yogyakarta is more than just a tourist attraction; here, visitors can experience a spiritual and cultural experience that enriches their understanding of Indonesian culture.
In every corner that keeps traces of civilization, it is not only a feast for the eyes, but also an invitation to immerse yourself in the philosophy of life of the Javanese people.
It's time to pack your suitcase and get ready to explore the Yogyakarta Palace.
