The kraton retainers or abdi dalam | Camera Sony alpha NEX-7
Traveljunkieindonesia.com – I had a really wonderful, simple, meaningful days, where International Travel Bloggers spent much of last month in Yogyakarta.
The sense of tradition holds strong in Yogyakarta.
In formal terms, it’s called, “Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat.” Less formally, the Kraton. It’s the royal palace, and home a governor but is able to retain the title of sultan.
In the heart of the old city the huge palace of the sultans of Yogya is effectively the centre of a small walled city within a city.
Mark on the gate | Camera Sony alpha NEX-7
gate to the Kraton | Camera Sony alpha NEX-7
gazebo in the kraton | Camera Sony alpha NEX-7
The innermost group of buildings, where the current sultan still resides, was built between 1755 and 1756, although extensions were made during the long reign of Hamengkubuwono I. European-style touches to the interior were added much later, in the 1920s.
Structurally this is one of the finest examples of Javanese palace architecture, providing a series of luxurious halls and spacious courtyards and pavilions.
The kraton is attended by very dignified elderly retainers who still wear traditional Javanese dress.
a retainer with blankon | Camera Sony alpha NEX-7
the kraton retainers gathering | Camera Sony alpha NEX-7
retainers, sorjans, batiks, kerises | Camera Sony alpha NEX-7
The centre of the Kraton is the reception hall, the bangsal Kencana (Golden Pavilion), with its intricately decorated roof and great columns of carved teak. A large part of the Kraton is used as a museum and holds an extensive collection, including gifts from European monarchs, gilt copies of the most interesting rooms contains the royal family tree, old photographs of grand mass weddings and portraits of the former sultan of Yogyayakarta.
An entire museum within the Kraton is dedicated to the beloved Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX, with photographs and personal effects of the great man. This palace complex is the bridge between the old and the new and the faith that binds the cultures.
dragons statue | Camera Sony alpha NEX-7
the bangsal Kencana (Golden Pavilion) | Camera Sony alpha NEX-7
gamelan performances | Camera Sony alpha NEX-7
And, for Gamelan performances in the inner pavilion at 10am on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Wayang golek (9am Saturday) and classical dance (11am sunday) are also held.
It was AMAZING!
Loving life. I had such a great time!
Happy Green Travels!
Travel Junkie Indonesia was a guest of the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy for the excellent #Travel2Indonesia trip.
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