Kraton Jogja (Jogja Palace)

It is located in the center of the city of Yogyakarta or just Yogya as the local people call it. Karaton means a place where the Ratu-king lives, other word is Kedaton, with the same meaning. In the Javanese teachings, it has a deep philosophical meaning.
The architect designer of this palace was Sultan Hamengkubuwono I himself, who was also the founder of the kingdom of NGAYOGYAKARTA HADININGRAT. His skill in architecture was appreciated by the dutch scientist - DR. Pigeund and DR. Adam who adored him as " the architect of his brother-Pakubuwono II of Surakarta".

The Building Of Taman Sari Yogyakarta

Taman Sari can be divided into four areas. The first area is the artificial lake Segaran located in the west. The second area is a bathing complex in the south of the Segaran lake, called the Umbul Binangun bathing complex. The third area, now completely gone, is the Pasarean Ledok Sari and Garjitawati Pool, located in the south of the bathing complex. The fourth area is the east side of the first and second area, which extend far to the east and to the southeast complex of Magangan.

The Segaran lake area

Row of small Tajug buildings that functioned as air vents for the underground tunnel. On the left is the ruin of the Cemethi Island. On the background to the right is the eastern gate of Gedhong Gapura Panggung. The area, once an artificial lake, is now filled with settlements

History Of Taman Sari Water Castle

The building of Taman Sari commenced during the reign of Sultan Hamengkubuwono I (1755–1792), the first sultan of the Yogyakarta Sultanate, and was completed by the time of Sultan Hamengkubuwono II. The building site, however, had already been known as a bathing place called Pacethokan Spring since Sunan Amangkurat IV’s reign (1719-1726). According to Kitab Mamana in Yogyakarta Kraton, the project leader for the construction of Taman Sari was Tumenggung Mangundipura. He had travelled twice to Batavia to learn about European architecture, which is the reason why the architecture of Taman Sari has marks of European style. The Regent of Madiun, Raden Rangga Prawirasentika, participated in funding the construction of Taman Sari. Prawirasentika also beseeched the Sultan to be relieved of Madiun's tax obligation. He offered other alternative ways of payment. The Sultan accepted his proposal. In 1758, the Sultan commanded the Regent to supervise the making of bricks and various complements, which would be used to build a beautiful garden. The sultan wanted a place where he could spend some time to relax after many years of wars that he had just experienced. Raden Tumenggung Mangundipura, under supervision of Raden Arya Natakusuma (who later became Sri Pakualam II), was responsible for the construction. The building was started in 1684 Javanese year (1758 AD). After finding out how large the complex was, Raden Rangga Prawirasentika realized that the cost would have been greater than the taxes. He resigned from the project and was replaced by Prince Natakusuma who continued the project to completion.

Taman Sari was built three years after the Giyanti Agreement as a resting place for Sultan Hamengkubuwono I. The complex consists of about 59 buildings including a mosque, meditation chambers, swimming pools, and a series of 18 water gardens and pavilions surrounded by artificial lakes. The complex was effectively used between 1765-1812.

The British invasion of the Yogyakarta Kraton saw considerable parts of the complex destroyed in 1812.

The building of Taman Sari ended upon the completion of the gates and the walls. A sengkalan memet (a Javanese chronogram) on the western gate (Gedhong Gapura Hageng) marks the year with the Javanese words Lajering Kembang Sinesep Peksi, denoting the Javanese year of 1691 or about 1765: lajering, "core" for 1; kembang, "flower" for 9; sinerep, "suck" or "drink" for 6; peksi, "bird" for 1; the sentence can be read as "birds gathering pollen of the flower". The relief around this sengkalan memet shows birds siphoning honey from flowery trees.

The maintenance of Taman Sari was abandoned shortly after Hamengkubuwono I died, partly because the elaborate hydraulic works were so difficult to maintain. The gardens were neglected and the buildings suffered some damage during the Java War of 1825-1830.

A late 19^th century photo of the Kenongo building in ruins. The surrounding area, once the Segaran lake, is dry and filled with plants. Today the lake is filled with buildings and the Kenongo building is still in ruin.

Taman Sari Water Castle in Yogyakarta

Taman Sari also known as Taman Sari Water Castle is a site of a former royal garden of the Sultanate of Yogyakarta. It is located about 2 km south within the grounds of the Kraton, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Built in mid 18th century, the Taman Sari had multiple functions, such as a resting area, a workshop, a meditation area, a defense area, and a hiding place.

Taman Sari consisted of four distinct areas: a large artificial lake with islands and pavilions located in the west, a bathing complex in the centre, a complex of pavilions and pools in the south, and a smaller lake in the east. Today only the central bathing complex is well preserved, while the other areas have been largely occupied by the Kampung Taman settlement.

Since 1995 the Yogyakarta Palace Complex including Taman Sari is listed as a tentative World Heritage Site.

The name Taman Sari comes from the Indonesian words taman, meaning a "garden" or "park" and sari, which means "beautiful" or "flowers". Hence, the name Taman Sari means an area of a beautiful garden adorned with flowers. An old article described it as a "water castle" (Dutch: waterkasteel); as by shutting the watergates, the complex would be completely immersed in water, leaving tall structures standing out.

Tugu Jogja

Tugu Jogja is the landmark of Yogyakarta. Tugu Jogja is located right in the center of the crossroad between the Mangkubumi, Soedirman, A.M. Sangaji, and Diponegoro roads.
Built arround one year after the existence of Yogyakarta Kingdom. Tugu Jogja is almost 3 centuries old. At the early time, it was 25 m and known as Tugu Golong-Gilig. It clearly described the philosophy of the unity of God and creatures. But in 1867, a big earthquake in Yogyakarta ruined the monument. In 1889, the Dutch government renovated the monument. It was constructed as a square with sharp peak, about 15 m height. The monument was then in was also called as De Wiit Paal or Tugu Pal Putih. Now, Tugu Jogja is the most popular landmark in Jogjakarta.

Malioboro Street (Jalan Malioboro)

Jalan Malioboro (Malioboro Street) is a major shopping street in Yogyakarta, Indonesia; the name is also used more generally for the neighborhood around the street. It runs north from the Yogyakarta kraton (palace) towards the roads that lead to either Surakarta to the east, or Magelang to the north, as well as Mount Merapi. This is in itself is significant to many of the local population, the north south orientation between the palace and the volcano being of importance.

The street is the centre of Yogyakarta's largest tourist district; many hotels and restaurants are located nearby. Sidewalks on both sides of the street are crowded with small stalls selling a variety of goods. In the evening several open-air streetside restaurants, called lesehan, operate along the street.

Less obvious to the tourist, but more for the local population, side streets, lanes and structures that lead on to Malioboro are as important as the street itself.

The street was for many years two-way, but by the 1980s had become one way only, from the railway line (where it starts) to the south - to Beringharjo markets, where it ends. The largest, oldest Dutch era hotel, Hotel Garuda, is located on the street's northern end, on the eastern side adjacent to the railway line. It has the former Dutch era Prime Minister's complex, the kepatihan, on the eastern side.

Bakpia

Bakpia is food made from a mixture of green beans with sugar wrapped in a flour and baked. In some areas in Indonesia, the food seemed sweet if eaten is known as the pia or pia cake. Contents bakpia can adjust to the desires of consumers of chocolate, cheese, kumbu green, and black kumbu. Bakpia well-known one of them came from the area Pathok (Pathuk), Yogyakarta.

Bakpia term itself is derived from the Hokkien dialect (simplified: 肉饼), which literally means the bread contains meat .(From : id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakpia ).

But do you know if this actually bakpia center not far from Malioboro street? For those who've been to Yogyakarta, this location may have become a regular site visits during a visit to Yogyakarta. But for that yet, do not be hard to find areas that are along Jl. KS. Tubun . Ask a pedicab driver, buggy, and you meet cab, then you will be escorted to its destination.


Regional centers are named for it bakpia Pathuk. Make no mistake with Pathuk area located in Gunungkidul, Pathuk area is located in the middle of the city of Yogyakarta. If delivered by rickshaws and other public transportation except the bus, chances are you will be escorted to the well-known shops in the street, or maybe the store owned by friends or relatives. Actually there are way more interesting and more than just coming to a store and buy souvenirs. But of course this is only suitable for those who want to make the search of gifts as an adventure, sports and healthy way.
Along Jl. KS Tubun this is lined by shops, by the bakpia as its main attraction, but that's not interesting. Pathuk known as the center of it bakpia, so the majority of its citizens to make bakpia sold. Land constraints, and of course the cost of making the people around him could not sell in the store, but in their homes each. You will not see bakpia famous brands there, but you can hunt bakpia flavors that suit your taste and your family.

The most prominent main aisle that you can visit is on the right Jl. K.S Tubun from the east. Seek first to aisle in front of , there is a big plankat titled 'Typical Food Centers bakpia'. In the alley that you can walk around and see many homes that are ready with the owner and made their own bakpia. Generally they will offer you to taste before you buy. If not for everyone, keep hunting from house to house until he found a fit with the tongue. But do not just taste all over the place eventually without buying at all, you could be accused of only looking for free food only.
Flavor bakpia different now, as creations of the manufacturer. If it had only green beans, now you can find chocolate, pineapple, cheese, and so forth. That does not change, bakpia sweet taste and shape of the first relatively equal, round and flat. Bakpia usually placed in a small box which will be filled with less than 21 fruit bakpia. Purchase is calculated each box with only one kind of taste.
Bakpia indutri home prices are usually relatively cheap, or a maximum equal to that sold in stores. Even so, sometimes there is also offering a high price, but you can still bid, especially if you buy them in large numbers. If you find a house with bakpia that fit your taste, make the subscription for the next visit, and also meet with friends, colleagues and your brother. Happy Hunting!
(Translated into English from : http://www.trulyjogja.com/index.php?action=news.detail&cat_id=1&news_id=106).
(Image from: www.kfsemarang.com/?q=node/841).