Ancient Mataram Kingdom in Kota Gede Yogyakarta

Kotagede is often referred to as Sargede located approximately five kilometers southeast of Yogyakarta. In this area, tourists can visit the tomb of the Kings of Mataram as Sutowijoyo or Ngabei Market Loring, founder of the Mataram kingdom which was dubbed Panembahan Senopati. There is also a unique tomb of Ki Ageng Mangir, namely in-law and once the enemy Panembahan Senopati. His body was buried outside the complex.

A hundred yards from the tomb there is a stone called 'Watu Gilang', the stone used by Panembahan Senopati to hit the head of Ki Ageng Mangir to death. For those who want to get into the tomb had to wear traditional clothing that can be rented on the spot. Tomb of Kings in Kotagede open every Monday 10.00 to 12.00, and Friday. There are the graceful gate, a pool full of Clarius Melanodermas and yellow tortoise that has lived hundreds of years, people believed that tortoises are miraculous and sacred tomb complex is located within the wall made of white stone and brick.

Tomb complex is divided into 3 parts, namely mosques, tombs and spring. The mosque is located in the eastern part, tomb on the west and spring in the Southwest. The third section is bounded by a concrete wall and was associated with gates. On the first page there are inscriptions that read: Kanjeng Panembahan Senopati, reigns the kingdom of Mataram, Djinawal Year: 1509 Year AD: 1579, Bury Kotagede addition there are also building called the Hall Duda with. Page Secondly, on this page there are 4 buildings, namely building at the corner of Southeast, Northeast, Northwest and Southwest. Third page, there is the main building which consist of 3 buildings called Prabayaksa Ward, Ward and Ward Tajug Witana.


Ward Prabayaksa a wall-walled buildings in this ward there are 72 graves that are made with white marble material, which include tombs Panembahan Senopati, Krapyak Sedo Sultan, Sultan Sepuh, Prince duke Pakualam I, ki Ageng Mangir, PA II, PA III, and PA IV Special to the tomb of Ki Ageng Mangir, partly outside the building and partially inside the building.

Witana ward, in the ward witana have 4 pieces of marble tomb of the ingredient, which is the tomb of Ki Ageng archery and Ki Ageng Mertani Savior. Ward Tajug, inside the building there are 3 pieces of the tomb, the tomb of Nyai Ageng Nis, Prince Jayaprana and Datuk Palembang. In addition to the main building there is another building with a cupola that a smaller size, which is located on the east of the main building. Cupola contains the tombs of descendants of Prince Pakualam I Jagalan Located in the Village, District Banguntapan, Regency precisely in the southern Bantu Kotagede Market.

Mount Merapi

Mount Merapi, Gunung Merapi (literally Mountain of Fire in Indonesian/Javanese), is a conical volcano located on the border between Central Java and Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It is the most active volcano in Indonesia and has erupted regularly since 1548. It is very close to the city of Yogyakarta, and thousands of people live on the flanks of the volcano, with villages as high as 1700 m above sea level.

Merapi volcano is one of the world's most active and dangerous volcanoes. It contains an active lava dome, which regularly produces pyroclastic flows. It has been active for 10,000 years. This fire mountain remains one of the most active and dangerous volcanoes in the world. It can be seen from its name; Merapi from Javanese word 'Meru' means 'Mountain' and 'Api' means 'fire'. The internally giant smoking Mount Merapi is one of the active volcanoes that found in Indonesia. It is presenting its peaceful and sleepy dense forest.

Beyond this, there lies a vast deserted land with its deep and steep valley spread out among the mountain hills where sibilant pines and wild grass make out the dominating vegetation, all presents a very exciting panorama. Merapi is located about 30 km north of Yogyakarta, a city with a population of 500,000. It is tall (2.8 km or 1.7 miles high) and has steep slopes. The top of the volcano sometimes has a normal crater, but usually a broad mound of pasty lava (called a dome) fills the crater. The dome plugs up the volcano, making it difficult for other lava and ash to escape. A broad gouge funnels lava and ash flows from the top of Merapi to the south slopes of the volcano. [source : Merapi]

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Parangtritis Beach

One of the attractive beaches near Yogyakarta is Parangtritis. It is located about 27 km. from Yogyakarta, Parangtritis may be reached in two ways, through Kretek Village or the longer one but more well - established road through Imogiri and Siluk Village. 

Parangtritis Beach is a lovely beach with many impressing phenomena, naturally and supra naturally. The waves regularly bring in new wood and bamboo, washing ashore from another nearby beach probably. Some wood is picked and taken away by locals to be used for their own house. 

Parangtritis is an enchanting sloping beach combined with rocky hills, dunes, and a brown sandy beach. Besides being famous as a recreational spot. Parangtritis is also a sacred place. Many people come to the beach to do meditation. Up to now, this area is remaining functioned as the place to perform the traditional ceremony called labuhan. Many hotels and restaurants are available for sunbathe lovers. [source : Indonesia-Tourism]

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Kraton Yogyakarta

The word keraton is a somewhat archaic term for the place where the queen lives. There is also another similar word called kedaton which carries the same meaning. In any case, Yogyakarta's keraton (modern spelling has it as "kraton") is dedicated for regency's sultan and definitely not for a queen.

The architect of this two-century-old palace complex is the late Sultan Hamengku Buwono I, the founder of the Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat kingdom. Measuring about 14,000 m² in size, the complex was completed back in 1756 with extensive showcase of Javanese palace architecture.

Lacking pre-travel research before embarking on my trip to the keraton, the first impression of the architecture was none too impressive for me. I guess I had a different idea of what a Javanese palace would look like, coming from an area where the palaces have strong Sumatran ancient roots. My conclusion was that Javanese keraton designs are starkly in contrast with those of Sumatran and Malayan origins.

The compound is rather huge that writing about every highlight along the way will take ages. I will try to mention the more important ones that one could see in the complex.

Right after the ticket booth, you will walk through Sri Manganti gate into a small square. To the left is Bangsal Trajumas in which regal-status gamelan instrument are kept, while to the right is Bangsal Sri Manganti where traditional Keraton dances are held almost daily. Right in front of you is the Danapratapa Gate (Pintu Gerbang) that brings you into a bigger square. While the Sultans were devout Muslims, traces of Hindu influence still remain as witnessed at this gate. Here, you can see two big mystical idols flanking both sides.

At the main square, turn left into Regol Gapura, another section of the palace. One interesting fact is that the trees grown within the compound have their own meaning, just like all the buildings of all shapes. They carry subtle messages for the deserving eyes. For example, asem / asam trees ("asem" means "sour") grown mostly in the southern section, signify youthfulness, while pakel tree (a type of mango) signifies the puberty stage. There are also a number of waringin (banyan) trees grown to symbolise the human body.

Then I arrived at a section where photos and tools for various cultural and religious rituals are on display, the most important one is probably the garebeg procession which is held 3 times annually. Then I got the chance to visit the Museum Batik which showcases the history of this exquisite work of arts. No cameras are allowed in this museum.

There are a few other sites that I visited (trying to make it short here): Bangsal Sri Manganti where traditional dance is held almost daily, two dedicated bangsal (hall) where different gamelan instrument are kept, and Ruang Pameran Lukisan (art gallery) with some historic paintings.

Karaton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat (the official local name of the sultan's palace) is located at the southern end of Jl Malioboro. It is accessible on foot, by becak, or local cabs.

The main palace is located behind Siti Hinggil Pagelaran. If the taxi drops you at the Pagelaran, just find you way by walking to the back. [source : Kraton Jogja]

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Jomblang-Grubug Cave

Jomblang-Grubug Cave is located in Jetis village, sub-district Semanu, district Gunungkidul or approximately 50 kilometers Yogyakarta's south east. This cave is a part of 500 caves in Gunungkidul karst mountains.

Jomblang-Grubug cave is a vertical cave with 70-80 meters deeps. That's why it needs Single Rope Technique (SRT) to enter the cave. This technique makes descending and ascending movement safely.

In the cave we will found a stunning views such as pre-historical forest, aven (light hole), beautiful stalactite and stalagmite, under ground rivers, and underground waterfall.

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