Surakarta Palace

Surakarta Palace

Surakarta Palace was built in 1745 by Paku Buwono II, the first king (susuhunan) of Surakarta Hadiningrat. Surakarta itself was renamed from the Sanskrit, Sura has meaning heroic and Karta has meaning prosperous. Surakarta Palace was built between 2 squares, named Alun-Alun Lor (North Square) and Alun-Alun Selatan (South Square). In the center of these Alun-Aluns, there are two banyan trees symbolize of protection and justice

The plan of this palace followed spatial metaphor of cosmological meaning in which the King was the center of the cosmos. The Sultan's status is attested to by the derivation of Susuhunan's nam, Pakubuwono, which means nail (Paku) of the world (Buwono).

Alun-Alun Lor (North Square) is the front yard of this Palace. Formerly, it used to train the soldier in mock warfare and named as “Siti Hinggil”. In Javanese term Siti means ground and Hinggil means high, so this yard means the condition is several steps up higher than the ground surrounding this area. Siti Hinggil has also a building which formerly used as a meeting room of the King and the subordinates. On this Siti Hinggil visitor can see some antique cannons.

The main building is a Javanese architecture with the beautiful carving ornament. Around the main hall there several buildings with various different uses. One of the antique and amazing buildings is an impressive tower named “Panggung Songgobuwono”. Panggung Songgobuwono was taken from 3 javanese words, they are: Panggung, Songgo, and Buwono. Panggung means tower, Songgo means support, and Buwono means the world. Panggung Songgobuwono has octagonal form. According to the tradition, this tower has mysterious story. They believe the tower is the place which used as meeting room of the King and Nyai Roro Kidul, the Goddess of the South Sea.

Surakarta Palace as one of the stronghold of Javanese culture is opened daily to be adored by visitor. It has a museum and art gallery where some precious collections are exhibited, such keris (daggers), masks, leather puppets, statues etc.