Museum Affandi
Delightful museum built around the former home of the late Affandi, one of Indonesia's best-known painters. Several galleries, including one with 30 of Affandi's paintings from his early, impressionist and expressionist periods, and another with paintings by some of his 11 children. The artist designed some of the buildings the central complex was originally his home and offices himself, and the grounds themselves are worth the admission price. Helpful staff to show you around.
Being one of the oldest cities in Indonesia, Yogyakarta has many heritage buildings and monuments. The number one must-see attraction is Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono's palace, better known as Kraton Ngayogyakarta. Other heritage buildings from colonial era are: BNI '46 building, Kantor Pos Besar Central Post Office building, and Bank Indonesia building, all of them are located near Sultan's palace.
Other notable landmarks and attractions are:
Tugu Monument
A well known landmark located in the center of downtown Yogyakarta. Built by Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono VI, the top spire was originally a round sphere which represents the universe. During the colonial era, the spire was replaced with a golden cylinder.Benteng Vredeburg
Jl. Jenderal Ahmad Yani 6. â +62 274 586934, +62 274 510996 fax: +62 274 586934. A Dutch fort located in front of Gedung Agung President's Palace. A great example of the Dutch colonial architecture. A few warfare items are still preserved, including a twin cannon.Kotagede
The capital of ancient Islamic Mataram kingdom. The tomb of Mataram Kingdom's first king, Panembahan Senopati, is also located in this place. Before independence, Kotagede was the central economic district of Yogyakarta, as it held the largest marketplace and was home to many wealthy batik merchants. Although some ancient buildings have been modernized or replaced with newer buildings, Kotagede remains a prime example of ancient Javanese architecture and city structure. Be sure to check out the local silver handicrafts.Imogiri
southwest of town. Graveyard of the Yogyakarta and Surakarta royal families. Suffered damage during 2006 earthquake but has reopened.Kotabaru
which used to be Dutch officials residential area, has few heritage homes as well as a colonial style church and monastery Gereja Kotabaru and a stadium Stadion Kridosono.
kraton complex
The Sultan's Square
Alun-alun utara, the northern Sultan's Grounds, was originally used for Sultan's army training and hence closed to public, but the area was opened to the public during the reign of Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX. Now, alun-alun utara is the venue for the quarterly parade known as Garebeg, which is held in the month of Maulud, Besar and Sawal. In this parade, the Sultan's servants bring huge cone-shaped offerings to the alun-alun utara. After the parade, attendees scramble to get a scrap of this offering, as it is believed to bring good luck.
Prior to the month of Maulud, a public fair is held in alun-alun utara for 30 days. This fair is very popular and offers many kind of goods ranging from traditional handicrafts to dishes from China. A unique snack sold in this event is galundeng, deep fried dough similar to a donut.
The Sri Sultan's palace or Kraton encompasses the main palace, Sultan's residential, two Sultan's grounds, and large residential area where sultan servants used to reside. Notable attraction in Kraton complex are:
Kraton Yogyakarta
A calm yet elegant Javanese heritage that consists of two separate entrances: the Main Court Pagilaran & Siti Hinggil, and the Residence. The Main Court showcases the grandeur of Sultan's monarchy, while the Residence is more homey while still exhibiting the royal family's luxurious lifestyle. Open 8.30AM to 1PM daily, on Friday the attraction is closed at 11AM. While the guide is part of the entrance fee, they might expect tips. Some guide might offer extended trip to sultan's servants batik workshop, this is a scam as they only bring you to a regular batik shop with steep price. It's a good idea to refuse their offer politely. Rp 12,500 foreign tourist price or Rp 5,000 Indonesian tourist price, Rp 1,000 extra for a photo. There are music and dance shows within the palace regularly, free with the ticket, try to check out the times when you arrive in Yogajakarta. The Sultan maintains three gamelans in the palace, and the pavilion nearest the entrance houses one of them. If they're playing, do sit down and be patient, this music takes its time.Also worth seeing is the prince's palace to the SE of the main palace.
Sultan's Carriage Museum
Museum Kereta . This museum houses the Sultan's horse-drawn carriages, including two beautiful carriages imported from the Netherlands and known as Golden Carts kereta kencana.Taman Sari
Jl. Taman, Kraton. Also known by the Dutch name waterkasteel water castle, this is a partly ruined complex built as a pleasure garden by the first Sultan in 1765. One of the bathing pools was dedicated to the sultan's harem, and he had a tower overlooking the area so he could take his pick. Towards the back of the complex is the original entrance to the pools, which used to be a small dock connected to a long-since-vanished river; a bit of snooping beyond this entrance will get you to a back street, where one can freely visit a fascinating network of tunnels and rooms, including an Escher-like series of interlacing staircases over what looks like a disused well. Entrance fee does not cover the guide, who will expect tips. Open 9AM-3PM daily. Rp 7,000 for entrance, Rp 1,000 for a photo permit.Siti Hinggil Selatan
This somehow-muted palace is rarely used for formal occasion. You can catch a shadow puppet performance during weekend mornings and nights. There is no admission charge for the show and you can come and go as you please, which you may well want to do as the show is long and somewhat difficult to follow if you do not speak bahasa Indonesian.Alun-Alun
or the Sultan's ground. There are two Sultan's grounds: Alun-alun Utara and Alun-alun Selatan or the northern and southern Sultan's ground, consecutively. If you are lucky, you can see the Gerebeg Maulud parade during Prophet Muhammad's birthday.Masjid Gede Kauman
one of the oldest and largest mosque in Yogyakarta. Located on the west of Alun-alun Utara, this mosque was where the Sultan performs his religious rites and ceremonies. Non-muslim visitors should wear decent clothing. It may be a good idea to ask the mosque authorities prior to entering the mosque due to some rules that must be abide.Yogyakarta city was built with deep philosophy: the city was designed so that the main elements of the city forms a imaginary line. This straight line starts from Parangtritis on the coast, to Kraton Yogyakarta, to Tugu Monument, and finally to Mount Merapi. This represents Sultan's strong relationship with the guardian spirits of Mt. Merapi and the beach of Parangtritis.
art gallery
Bentara Budaya
Jalan Suroto 2, Kota Baru, +62 274 560404. Art exhibitions, movies, book discussions.Cemeti Art House
Jalan D.I. Panjaitan 41, +62 274 371105, [email protected]. Fine art and modern art exhibitions, book discussions and performances.French/Indonesian Cultural Center (LIP)
Jalan Sagan 3, +62 274 566520. Art exhibitions, movies, book discussions, performances, library.Jogja Gallery
Jalan Pekapalan 7, Alun-Alun Utara. +62 274 419999, +62 274 412021, +62 274 7161188, [email protected]. Modern art gallery exhibiting avant garde artworks.Kedai Kebun
Jalan Tirtodipuran 3, +62 274 376114, email:[email protected]. Art exhibitions, performances, book discussions.
candi (ancient temples)
Candi is ancient archeological structure constructed during 7th-9th century aimed for a specific religion Budha or Hindu. It was constructed from hundreds of volcanic or river stone blocks and assembled solely by human labor. Candi walls is often carved with reliefs depicting stories, and a stone God or Godess statue usually sits at the center.
There are several candi located in Yogyakarta and it's proximity. Borobudur, one of famous candi is in Magelang, not far from Yogyakarta. Prambanan, also a well-known candi is in the Yogyakarta-Central Java border area.
Candi Sambisari
Candi Sambisari is very unique. Unlike other candi, it sits at estimated 6m below the ground line. It is easy to reach because it is located close to Adisucipto International Airport. You can go there by taxi. Candi Sambisari consists of one main candi and three supporting candis perwara. You can see lingga and yoni, symbol of male and female sex, inside the main candi. In the main candi's wall, there are three statue, Agastya in south side, Ganesha in east side, and Dewi Durga in north side. From the lingga, yoni, and the statues, it has been concluded that the Sambisari was built to adore Siva Gods. There is no fixed reference about when and who built this candi. But from the Wanua III inscriptions, Candi Sambisari is predicted to be cunstructed in 9th century 812-838 AD.Candi Kalasan
Candi Kalasan is located not far from Prambanan, around 2 km to the west from Prambanan or 14 km to the east from Yogyakarta. This candi is on the south side of the Prambanan-Yogyakarta main road. It is the oldest Buddhist temple in Yogyakarta. Constructed in late 7th century 778 AD by Rakai Panangkaran from Sanjaya Dinasty. He was Hindu but he built a Buddhist temple, thus it reflects peacefully religion life during that time. The relief carved in this candi are known to be the most beautiful. The wall is covered by ancient white cement called bajralepa. Candi Kalasan was built to adore Dewi Tara Tara Godess. A Boddhisatva bronze statue used to be placed inside the candi, but this statue is not there anymore.Candi Sari
Candi Sari is located not far from Candi Kalasan, estimated 600 m to north-east from Candi Kalasan. This candi was built as an ancient Buddhist monk dormitory. Inside the candi, there are two floors with three rooms on each floor. The reliefs is similar with Candi Kalasan's and the wall is also covered with bajralepa. There are Boddhisatva and Tara Godess carved beside the windows that show us the relation between Candi Kalasan and Candi Sari. The unique rooftop consists of 9 stupas in grid. The holes in some areas shows that woods was used to complete the construction. This candi is predicted to be build in the same era with Candi Kalasan.