Yogyakarta Palace

One of the well-known palace in Indonesia is Yogyakarta Palace (Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat). Together with Solo Palace, it has been considered as the main pillar of Javanese culture, although “Javanese” here was a term still contested among many part of the Island.

Historic palace

The history of Yogyakarta Palace stretched back to 13 February 1755, when two factions of the Mataram kingdom sign Giyanti Treaty. The treaty decided that the kingdom was to split into two parts. Areas on the east side of Opak River would be Surakartan's and the wes side would belong to a new kingdom called Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat. The first king of the kingdom was Pangeran Mangkubumi, who reign as Sultan Hamengkubuwono I. The two palaces (later they were split again into four palaces) develop cultures unique of their own and some said that they are actually contesting their cultures.

It is said that Pangeran Mangkubumi built his palace on the remnant of a pesanggrahan (a kind of castle). This pesanggarahan was used to be a resting place for funeral parade of the kings of Mataram that would be buried in Taman Makam Raja-raja Imogiri (The Mataram Royal Cemetery). Another version said that the kraton’s location was then a spring named Umbul Pacethokan which was located in a forest called Beringan. Before the completion of the building, Sultan Hamengkubuwon resided in Pesanggrahan Ambar Ketawang in the west side of the present kraton.

What often makes Yogyakarta people proud of their king’s palace is the fact that the palace played an important role in the Indonesian Independence struggle in 1945-1950. While Solo Palace clearly stood on the Dutch side, Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX, then the king of Yogyakarta, issued Maklumat No. X 5 September 1945, recognizing that Yogyakarta is a part of newly born Republic of Indonesia. This is one factor why Yogyakarta’s place is important in Republic of Indonesia. After the Independence, Yogyakarta became a centre of learning (in fact, the city was known as students city) and culture city. The RI government also recognized Yogyakarta’s role and granted the kingdom a special status as Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta.

Parts of the palace

Yogyakarta Palace has seven main complex, namely Siti Hinggil Ler (North Court), Kamandhungan Ler (North Kamandungan), Sri Manganti, Kedhaton, Kamagangan, Kamandhungan Kidul (South Kamandungan), and Siti Hinggil Kidul (South Siti Hinggil) (hanomantour.blogspot.com). Each part has its own philospohy and history.

Siti Hinggil played an important role in the education history of Indoneisa. Siti Hinggil was the first campus for Universitas Gadjah Mada, the oldest university belonging to Republic of Indonesia. However, its main and traditional function is for the crowning of Sultan Pisowanan Agung, where Sultan will “sungkem” (pay tribute) on the big days such as Gerebek and Syawal. Here too lies Bangsal Manguntur Tangkil that bear the throne of the king, Dampar Kencono. The Dampar Kencono was placed in a straight line with Tugu on the north direction. It means that when the Sultan sit on his throne, he always remember his kawula (people).

Curiously: It is said that there is a secret room in the palace that only Sultan himself can enter. In this room, Sultan will communicate with Kanjeng Ratu Kidul, the wife of all the sultan of Yogyakarta as well as the queen of the South Sea (Indian Ocean).

Outside the palace are stretched Alun-alun (field), both at the north and south side. Each was known according to each location. Therefore, Alun-alun lor is located at the north side. Wayang performance was held at regular time at the South Siti Hinggil. Each Alun-alun has their own beringin tree with its own name and was considered as the guardian of the Alun-alun.

Yogyakarta Palace also has another cultural heritage such as ceremonies, rituals, and historic and antique artefacts.