Keraton Yogyakarta

The Living History of Sultanate Palace of Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta Palace or also known as the Keraton Hadiningrat Yogyakarta is a place used by rulers and kings of Islamic Mataram. Keraton itself means a magnificent palace where people with higher or important status or king in an area lived. So, this royal palace is only one of the many other Kraton spread around Indonesia regions.

It is today used as a museum that keeps artifacts and other historical heritage. Though we cannot forget that the royal palace itself is a valuable heritage. Visiting this museum and palace is a must. You will be fascinated by its collections, extraordinary tourist spot, and local art. Here you can also meet the royal courtier, taking photos with them, and get to know their lives and all about Keraton history.

The History of Keraton Yogyakarta Palace

Classic nuance will be found as soon as your feet step into the complex. As if you were taken to the past to be the part of the royal family. In terms of buildings, Kraton royal palace Yogyakarta in the past was not much different from the present. It was established in 1755 after the Giyanti Agreement. The agreement rule the Islamic Mataram Sultanate divided into two, Surakarta Palace (Solo) and Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace (Yogyakarta). This agreement occurred due to two parties’ disapproval of Dutch rule in the land of Java. Until finally the first sultan of Kraton Jogja, Sultan Hamengku Buwono I, chose to establish a new sultanate in Yogyakarta area which was more in line with classic Java characteristics.

Yogyakarta Keraton is quite spacious and consists of seven complexes and still has other parts around the Keraton that belong to the king. The seven main complexes are Siti Hinggil Ler which is the northern hall, Kamandhungan Ler, Sri Manganti, Kedhaton (the main palace), Kamagangan, Kamandhungan Kidul, and Siti Hinggil Kidul or the south hall.

The sultan palace of Yogyakarta is a legacy of the Islamic empire that developed since at the hands of its first founder. This extraordinary architecture was designed by the Sultan HB I. In addition to the main part of the palace, the construction of a small gate and fortress in the corners of the palace complex was further developed by his descendants.

Those included in Yogyakarta palace complex are North Square, South Square, Gladag Pangurakan Gate, Gedhe Mosque, Pagelaran Complex, Plengkung Nirbaya, Plengkung Gadhing, Pracimosono Complex, Roto Wijayan Complex, Taman Sari Water Castle, Istana Putra Mahkota Complex, Keraton Kilen Complex, Baluwerti Fortress, Pal Putih Monument, Gedhong Krapyak, Beringharjo Market, and Ndalem Kepatihan (Prime Minister’s Palace).

Keraton is of course functioned as a home for the king and royal family. But it is also remain as the Yogjakarta government. And it is increasingly visible in the architectural splendor that it makes. The number of traditional carvings and ornaments shows high art symbolizes high status.

The sand in the main yard was originating from the South Coast Beach which was later planted by certain trees. The door is made of thick teak wood and is called Regol by the Javanese. But despite being very traditional in style, the fact that Keraton Yogyakarta is adopted ornaments of Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese and Islamic styles cannot be avoided.

Keraton Jogja Special Events and Performance

While Keraton Jogja was where the royal family lived, it was and it is until now a place to perform some traditional art. Regular events and performances are held to attract the visitors and give knowledge to children and student who visit it. You can see traditional dances, gamelan, and puppet show. Below is the schedule of the performances:

– Monday and Tuesday: Yogyakarta Gamelan music, starts at 10:00 a.m.

– Wednesday: Wayang Golek Menak (puppet show), starts at 09:00 a.m.

– Sunday and Thursday: The traditional dance performance (The kind and name of the dance performed is varied since there are many traditional dances in Jogja and depend to the schedule. To know what dance will be performed ask the information from your guide), starts at 07.00 p.m.

– Friday: Macapat, starting at 9:00 a.m.

– Saturday: Leather Puppet Show, starts at 9:00 a.m.

Location of Keraton Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta sultan palace location is not difficult to find. It is located on Rotowijayan Street Blok No. 1, Panembahan, Kraton, Yogyakarta City, Yogyakarta Special Region. The distance between the Yogyakarta Palace and Malioboro is very close to around 50 meters.

How to Go to Sultan Palace Yogyakarta

How to go to Keraton Yogyakarta? From around area of Malioboro many chooses to walk because they can enjoy the shopping area and unique spots altogether. Some choose to use horse cart (Andong) and becak. From Keraton you can go to other nearest must visit place, Tamansari complex, by walking or either by becak.

Kraton Palace Entrance Fee

Do you wonder how many Yogyakarta Palace entrance fee is? Yogyakarta Palace entrance ticket 2023 is not expensive.

Keraton Palace Opening Hours

Jogja Palace is open at 8 a.m to 2 a.m every day. Usually from the morning visitors are already crowded, especially if there is a study tour group or joint tourism work. On Friday it closes at 12 a.m. For night performances in Keraton, please check the schedule with your tour guide.

Things To Do in Keraton Yogyakarta

What is the must-to-do-list in Yogyakarta Palace? Here are some that we recommend just for you.

Walking Around Keraton Complex

The palace is not only consisted by single building. Starting from before you enter Keraton, you can stroll around in Gladag-Pangurakan Gate (the entrance for Keraton Yogyakarta). Then enjoy the North Square complex to Gedhe Mosque. After you visit and enjoy the next main part which is the sultan palace, you can jump to Taman Sari Water Castle.

Taking Pictures

Of course we recommend you to take pictures while having you visit to this place. Starting from pictures of historical collection in the museum, the building architectural, the local people, to the royal courtier (a must).

Listening to Historical Background from Your Tour Guide

Visiting this palace without learning and hearing about tradition and history of Yogyakarta will be in vain. There will be tour guide, a nice person, that will accompany your journey diving in to Yogyakarta richness.

Having Culinary Tour in Restaurant

There are nearby restaurants around Keraton Yogyakarta tour. You will have delicious traditional meal served and don’t forget of the antique architecture that it has. The restaurant has different style, the Javanese ornaments. Accompanied with things from the past that still well-serve. Some popular restaurants are Pendopo Ndalem Resto, Royal Garden Resto, Ndalem Ngabean, and Gadri Resto. Enjoy the feeling as if you are the King and Queen of Yogyakarta.

Recommended To Do in Sultan Palace Yogyakarta

Jogja Palace facilities are complete. Because it is located in the center of the city, there were many restaurants, batik and souvenir stalls, traditional snacks stalls like bakpia, chocolate factory, and café in this millennial era. You can also visit Taman Sari Water Castle.

To make everything easier, take Yogyakarta tours from Pamitran Tours. We guarantee your satisfaction with our facilities such as rent car Jogja, rent motorbike Jogja, or Keraton Yogyakarta tour packages. If you need tour guide, we are ready to find one for you. Contact us for more info.