Exploring Yogyakarta Historical Sites – Yogyakarta Special Region is truly special. Not only rich in captivating natural attractions, but this area is also rich in historical and cultural sites.
From museums, places of worship, palaces, to bathing places of the kings.
You can find various historical buildings still standing strong to this day. Various artifacts from the past are also neatly preserved and well-maintained in several museums that you can visit whenever you want.
To revisit the glory of the Special Region in the southern part of Java Island, you can visit the following tourist locations.
Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta boasts various historical remnants or traces that can be used to trace its development and dynamics over a long period of time.
When talking about Yogyakarta, we can’t overlook the Islamic Mataram Kingdom centered in Kotagede.
This is because the Islamic Mataram serves as the direct link to the presence of the Yogyakarta Sultanate and the Pura Pakualaman, which marks the early development of Yogyakarta.
From the time Panembahan Senapati built his palace in Kotagede to Pangeran Mangkubumi opening up the banyan forest, there’s a common thread of a center of government giving rise to a high civilization growing in what is now known as Yogyakarta.
Besides its historical traces stemming from a kingdom, Yogyakarta also harbors history and culture from foreign nations, such as the cultural influences brought by the Dutch colonial government and the Chinese.
Read more: Yogyakarta Temples, Palaces, and Traditions: A Rich Cultural Experience in Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta Historical Sites You Should Visit
As you immerse yourself in the historical sites of Yogyakarta, each destination offers a unique window into the region’s rich past and cultural tapestry.
From the regal grandeur of the Keraton Yogyakarta to the tranquil allure of the Taman Sari Water Castle, and the poignant reminders of Indonesia’s fight for independence at the Benteng Vredeburg Museum, every stop presents an opportunity to delve deeper into Yogyakarta’s storied history.
These sites serve as living testaments to the city’s heritage, inviting visitors to embark on a captivating journey through time and uncover the diverse layers of Yogyakarta’s historical narrative.
1. Keraton Yogyakarta
Location: Jl. Rotowijayan Blok No. 1, Panembahan, Kraton Sub-district, Yogyakarta City
Opening Hours: Every day (08:30 AM – 02:00 PM)
Entrance Fee: starting from Rp5,000 – Rp15,000 per person.
One of the historical attractions in Jogja that you must visit is definitely the Yogyakarta Palace, Keraton. This tourist spot and one of the city’s icons has the original name of Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat. Until now, this palace is still inhabited by the descendants of the Yogyakarta kings.
Not only can you see historical buildings, but you can also witness various performances or traditional ceremonies still often held by the palace authorities. If you go inside, you will also find heritage items from ancient times.
These heritage items include things like golden chariots, daggers, spears, royal umbrellas, banners, horse saddles, and regalia. No wonder, this location has also been recognized by UNESCO as one of the world heritage sites.
Read more: Immersing in Javanese Traditions: Exploration Culture in Yogyakarta
2. Taman Sari
Location: Patehan, Kecamatan Kraton, Kota Yogyakarta
Opening Hours: Setiap hari (09.00 WIB – 15.00 WIB)
Entrance Fee: Rp5,000/person
The Taman Sari site complex is a legacy of Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwana I. Taman Sari translates to “beautiful garden,” which used to be a recreational spot for the sultan and the palace entourage.
One of the sacred spots within the Taman Sari complex is Pasareyan Ledoksari, which served as the sultan’s retreat and private area.
The most intriguing part of this complex is the Sumur Gumuling, a two-story structure with the lower floor situated underground. In the past, it served as a kind of mosque where the sultan could worship. Access to this area was through underground passages.
Most of the Taman Sari building structures consist of underground tunnels, which were secret passages prepared as escape routes in case of enemy attacks on the complex.
3. The Tomb of Ratu Mas Malang
Location: Pedukuhan Gunung Kelir, Kalurahan Pleret, Kapanéwon Pleret, Bantul Regency.
The tomb of Ratu Mas Malang, also known as Gunung Kelir Tomb and Antakapura Tomb (in Kawi language: “the palace of death” or “the palace where corpses are buried”), is a cultural heritage site left by Amangkurat I or Amangkurat Agung.
This site is situated on the summit of Mount Sentana, with an elevation of +99 meters above sea level. Its existence is related to the figures buried here, namely Ratu Mas Malang and Ki Panjang Mas.
Mas Malang was the daughter of Ki Wayah, a dalang wayang gedog (puppeteer), and one of the concubines of Amangkurat I. Before becoming a concubine, she was the wife of Dalang Panjang, a famous puppeteer in the Mataram Sultanate region.
The Babad Momana records that this tomb was built for approximately three years, from the death of Mas Malang in 1665 until its completion on June 11, 1668.
Amangkurat I named the place Antakapura (in Kawi language), meaning “the palace of death,” while the surrounding community called it the Gunung Kelir Tomb because there are grooves on the tomb walls resembling kelir (the background screen) in a wayang kulit (shadow puppet) performance.
The construction of its walls consists of white stone blocks, while its tombstones are made of andesite stone. Overall, the physical condition of this burial complex is deteriorating, primarily due to natural factors.
Another site within the same complex as this tomb is Sendang Maya. This site, consisting of two ponds, is located to the northeast of the tomb and serves as a rainwater reservoir.
The pond inside the surrounding wall measures approximately +3.5 meters x 5 meters, while the one outside the wall measures about +6 meters x 6 meters.
The spring is surrounded by the same brick wall as the Ratu Mas Malang Tomb, with a height of +3 meters and a thickness of 2.1 meters.
4. Ndalem Jayadipuran Site
Location: Jalan Brigjen Katamso No. 139, Kalurahan Keparakan, Kêmantrèn Mergangsan, Yogyakarta City