Kraton Complex Yogyakarta

If you want to know something about the lifestyle of the royal sultans of the exotic Yogyakarta, you must explore the gigantic Kraton Complex. The Kraton Complex is a huge residential complex that had served as the residence of the Sultans of Yogyakarta for almost250 years. The complex includes royal palaces and also houses for the king's attendants and servants. Such is the size of the complex that it is often called a "city within a city". Here is a list of the things that you must see in the Kraton complex:

Kraton Yogyakrta: This main palace is divided into the Main court and the residence area. You can grasp some of the majestic lifestyle of the royal family as you enter this place through the displays. The palace remains open from 9am to 3pm.

Alun Alun: These are the two sultan's ground. The names of the grounds are alun-alun-utara and alun-alun-selatan.

Taman Sari: Also known as the water castle, Taman Sari was originally a pleasure garden that was built by the first sultan of Yogyakarta. The beautiful bathing pools can still be detected in the ruined structure. There are parades held on these grounds on Prophet Mohammad's birthday.

Sultan's Carriage Museum: The Museum displays the horse drawn carriages drawn that belonged to the sultan. You can also see the two special carriages that were imported from Netherlands so many years ago.

Siti Hinggil Selatan: This was also a palace originally used for formal events. Now it is used for the shadow puppet shows that take place on every weekend night.

Masjid Gede Kauman: This is a very ancient mosque that is located at the west of alun-alun-utara, one of the sultan's grounds. This mosque used to be the venue for all religious ceremonies performed or observed by the royal family. Non-Muslim visitors are expected to maintain certain decorum when they enter the palace.

Guided tours are conducted regularly around the entire complex. However, the visitors should be careful and avoid being gulled by the guides.