Surakarta Palace, or more popular with Keraton Surakarta Hadiningrat, which is sometimes simply called as Keraton Surakarta is a living place for King Surakarta and his family. It is located in west of Bengawan Solo riverbank. Keraton Surakarta is one of the most important cultural heritages. It has been existed for hundreds of years and had witnessed many historical events in Indonesia. Hence, Keraton Surakarta and all the historical collections inside it are very important.

Keraton Surakarta was built in the era of King Pakubuwono II or Sunan Pakubuwono II. He built it to replace Keraton Kartasura, which ruined because of the riot called Geger Pecinan that occurred in 1734. So, in 1774 Sunan Pakubuwono II decided to build a new palace located in Solo Village. This village is now more popular as Surakarta Hadiningrat.

Keraton Surakarta has a long history. It was the part of Mataram Kingdom. However, Sunan Pakubuwono II gave the kingdom to the Dutch government in 1749. The era of Mataram Kingdom even ended in 1755 when the king signed the Giyanti Agreement. Based on that agreement, Mataram Kingdom had to be divided into two, Kasunanan Surakarta and Kasultanan Yogyakarta Hadiningrat. Since that time, Keraton Surakarta became the official palace of Kasunanan Surakarta.

As an official palace, Keraton Surakarta was built with all glamorous. It is a very exotic building and has classic style with the mixture of Javanese and European architecture. There are some areas inside the complex of Keraton Surakarta. The building generally includes: Alun – alun Lor / North Square area, Sasana Sumewa / throne hall Sumewa, Sitinggil Lor / North High ground area, Kamandangun Lor / North Kamandangun, Kedhaton Area, Kamagangan Area, Srimanganti Kidul / South Srimanganti, Kemandungan Kidul / South Kemandungan, Sitihinggil Kidul / South Highground area, and Alun – alun Kidul / South Square Area.

Alun-alun or square is a place for people to gather. The king and his family often hold people parties in this area. The king also usually meets and greets his people in alun-alun. Alun-alun Lor or North Square area is divided into some parts; they are Gladhag, Pangurakan, Alun-alun utara, and Great Mosque of Surakarta. Just like another square in Javanese kingdoms, there are also two Banyan trees in Alun-alun Lor. These Banyan trees are actually a symbol for justice and protection.

Meanwhile, Sasana Sumewa or the throne hall Sumewa is the place for the king to receive reports from his government. Before the time of Kasunanan Surakarta united to the Indonesia Republic, the reports given to the king were always read by a “patih” (chief minister). In Sitihinggil Lor or North High ground, we can find Bangsal Manguntur Trangkil. It’s the king’s throne. Through the north gate, we can enter Srimanganti area. There are two main buildings in this area; they are Bangsal Smarakatha and Bangsal Marcukundha. Another vital area in Keraton Surakarta is the Kedhaton area. It is a private place for the king and his family. They stay in this area. It makes the area restricted to the ordinary people.

It is all only little part of overall magnificent Keraton Surakarta. All are written in this article would never be sufficient without witnessing the exoticism of this palace your own eyes. So, let’s visit this palace!

By Amin Cheng