Kraton
 The entrance to the Kraton. |
At the center of Yogyakarta lies a city within the city: the Kraton. Built in the middle of the 18th century, this walled-city serves as the home of the sultans of what remains of the Mataram kingdom to this day. The palace is open to guided tours for properly dressed guests. Inside you'll find many shady courtyards connected by beautifully decorated covered walks.
Of particular interest are the ornate reception halls as well as the large open air pendopos for listing to gamelan performances. You'll also find a small air-conditioned room where the desk at which the ninth sultan planned the overthrow of the Dutch is enshrined. Also interesting is the gallery displaying the royal family tree and photographs of many members. We thought the painting of the eighth sultan on his circumcision day to be particularly curious.
There's also an extensive display of the ninth sultan's mememtos, including his favorite cooking utensils. Another gallery displays the gifts from various state visits.
Admission Fee
There's an admission fee of 3,000 Rupiah (0.33 USD) to enter the Kraton, plus a 500 Rupiah (0.06 USD) fee for bringing in a camera. The admission fee includes a compulsory guide.
Photo Gallery
For more pictures of the Kraton, see our online photo gallery.
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