When visiting Kraton Jogjakarta we would better to take a walk to observe the historical places around. At the surrounding, some places can be visited such as Kereta Museum (Museum of Sultan’s Horse Wagon), Ngasem Bird Market and Tamansari. A cultural heritage in Jogjakarta, a place which has relation with Kraton or the Sutan’s Palace is Tamansari Water Castle. This place is located 400 meters of the south of Kraton Jogjakarta.Tamansari was built in the 17th century, when Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono I had power over the kingdom. The work was then completed by Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono II. The Portugal’s architectural building was aimed to be the place for Sultan to relax, meditated, and as the family’s place for recreation.
When we come in from the west entrance, we will meet a gate and a terrace upon it. The terrace is used as a balcony, a place for Sultan to watch the dance performed by beautiful Kraton’s dancers. If we enter the gate, we will meet Gedong Papat (four buildings placed on the right and left of the pathway). The buildings are the places for the Wiyaga (traditional musician) who play gamelan (traditional Javanese group of musical instruments).Deeper enter to Tamansari, we will come to another gate which connect the previous place with the pool. We have to enter the gate which has a descend pathway. The pool has lower elevation to other part of the Tamansari. The pool is called Umbulbinangun. Umbulbinangun has 3 pools. The first is the north pool for children, the center pool for the ladies and the south pool is the pool for the Sultan. The center and south pool is divided by a 3 stairs building for the Sultan to observe the ladies. When Sultan finds a lady he likes, he will throw a flower to the lady and she permitted to join in the Sultan’s pool.
At the north of Tamansari, there are several important places. The first is Pulo Panembung. The building is used for meditation. The meditation itself is done in the room, 10 meters below the ground.
The second place is Pulo Cemeti or Pulo Kenanga. Pulo Kenanga is a high structure for Putri (Kraton’s Ladies). The building is surrounded by water when the water channel is opened. People say if the building will look like a water lily if it is seen from the air.The other place is Sumur Gumuling. This place is like a well where the place is used for shollat or prays for Muslim. The place is connected with an underground pathway which is also believed connect the place with Kraton. The legend says if the underground pathway connects also to the south sea, where Nyai Roro Kidul (a spirit who believed as every Sultan’s wife) lives, and it becomes the way for Sultan to meet her.
Inside the Tamansari, there is a village called Kampung Taman. Here, we may find Batik (hand painting cloth) for souvenir. Not only we can purchase batik but also we may to try to paint on the cloth. There are batik courses available at the village.To visit Jogjakarta from Jakarta or Bali we may take domestic flight which scheduled very often and it will take about 45 minutes. From the Adisucipto Airport, take Taxi to Kraton or find Hotel in Malioboro Street (there are plenty of stars hotels and non stars hotels. We may also take train from Jakarta to Tugu or Jogjakarta (the same) Railway Station. From the station take a walk across the railway to the Malioboro Street at the south of the station to find hotels. If you stay at Malioboro Street hotels, just take a walk to the south, it is about a half kilometers or take becak (three cycled vehicle) to Tamansari or Kraton.
Comments