The days of hedonistic pleasure rooms, fountains and water gardens may be long gone, but there is still a Sultan, and his lady wife residing in the Kraton, a fortified city within the heart of Yogyakarta. There is no mistaking the thick white walls which mark the boundary of this huge palace built around 1755.
Mosques, schools and shops make up the outer part of the compound but in the heart lies the Sultans exquisite palace, pavilions, and museum rooms full of treasures gifted through the ages to the Sultanate from the Royal courts of Europe.
During the 1920’s many European touches were added such as Italian tiles and marble floors, stained glass and beautiful mirrors. This architectural mix of Europe artifacts and the best of Indonesian craftsmanship make it a very special place indeed.
Lottie Nevin - The Red House Diaries 
Yes, the Kraton is what Javanese culture is all about. It all came back to us via your lovely pictures. Not far from there we were taken in by man claiming to be working at an embassy but his friend was having an exhibition of paintings. The paintings were not for sale, he assured us. All the paintings were touristy with sunsets and waving palms, semi nudes etc. Anyway, after a cup of tea and exchanging bits about Australia including he had been teaching here in Sydney, it turned out some paintings were for sale after all..
After some negotiations we bought a couple but were not really happy with the purchases and after going to the bank our credit card refused to pay the money. We gave the paintings back, but you should have heard the ’embassy’ employee. He kept me in the becak and refused to let go. Helvi ran off and I calmed him somewhat. It was ‘fuking this and fuking that’ from this Javanese scoundrel. I managed to get away and joined Helvi.
Java can be a bit dangerous but we were wiser after the experience.
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OH NO! Gerard what a nightmare for you both. I love it when you comment and add your experiences of time spent here in Indonesia, it adds another dimension and extra ‘colour’ and that’s always a good thing! Thank you 😛
Yes, there are some crafty buggers out there…I’ve not yet fallen into that particular trap but my time will come, for that you can be sure! Most of my problems have been when I’ve visited temples but I’m getting pretty savvy and streetwise now, say’s she..Mrs Pride comes before a fall!
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Absolutely gorgeous, Sis. Love your photos and the information! It is a very special place and the unique addition of the European touches must have been stunning to see in person. I’m sure I could have spent hours wandering about the place!
The bandstand is fabulous. I’ve always loved bandstands…knowing that these are places built outdoors where music will play and people gather around to listen. And they are often detailed and beautiful. But this structure puts the others I’ve seen nearly to shame with the intricate workmanship and beautiful colors.
And those tiles!! I really want those tiles! But then, I suppose I’d have to buy a palace to go with them and it would be nothing but work, work, work thereafter. Hah! xoxoxo
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I know what you mean – living in a palace would be such hard work. We’d be on our knees polishing up those damn tiles, wiping mirrors, dusting the Sultan’s chair…I can feel a spot of lumbago coming on at the very thought of it.
I loved the bandstand – it was without doubt my favourite part of my visit to the Kraton – the colours, the stained glass! Oh and talking of glass, the Sultan has a very impressive drinking glass collection – puts mine to shame. xoxox
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Gorgeous photos!
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Thanks Sherry – have you been to Jogja? Fabulous place, lots to see and do – I think you would love it.
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Ooooh real beauty again. Splendor in Yoyoty- my short version 🙂 or what’s the name of the place again?
I imagine all that shiny stuff just about knocked out your camera lens. I find the tiles and those marble looking floors impressive. The flooring looks lik glass- it is that shiny. The flooring outshines the sun. Wonderful photography of the impressive areas of the palace.
Drinking glasses? As in sets or just various sizes? Are the glasses made of crystal?
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That Y on the front of Yogyakarta is very confusing! It’s actually pronounced Jog-Ja-karta or just Jogja for short.
This palace blew me away – oh so much to see, and some of it really beautiful. The glasses were stunning, a bit dusty in their cases but stunning nonetheless. There was crystal and then some fancy engraved ones – I’m sure that there is a name for them.
The marble floors, the paint, the colours and the ironwork all excited me but then I love colour and I love design so hardly surprising!
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Wonderful architecture but my favourite is the padlock shot.
In haste, 😦
Andrew
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Thanks Andrew – the padlock is splendid – every home should have one, not just palaces!
Hope your trip going well – TTFN Lottie 😛
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Oh my, such abundance and opulence! Quite exquisite… beautiful photos, seem to harken back to days of grandeur & glory. Wow…
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Thanks Amit and Indeed, indeed! It was a fascinating place to visit – quite unlike anywhere that i’ve been to before.
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Oh Lottie, every single post makes me sigh with pleasure!! Love the photos and the writing; I feel like I’m seeing the world through your eyes. Keep doing what you’re doing.
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What a lovely comment, thank you Mrs Headmaster! I’m really delighted that you enjoy my posts, it means a lot and gives me the impetus to keep going. I appreciate your support. I LOVE hearing about your time in Kenya too 😀
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Lottie have you disabled comments on your latest post or have I been singled out for special treatment?
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How bizarre?? No I haven’t Andrew and why would I single out you, of all people to block? Your comments always have me in stitches, they are fabulous.
Thanks for letting me know – try again and if there’s still a problem I’ll get heavy with WP lol 😀
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I can’t understand it either. Maybe it is an iPad problem. 😱
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Awww… thanks for trying and I’m sure it’s not the iPad more likely a glitch on WP but muchos appreciados anyway. p.s I’m so blind these days I can’t work out what your emoticon is – I hope it’s rude!!
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