JOGJA CITY

The Keraton (Sultan's Palace)
Jl. Rotowijayan 1, Jogja. Phone: +62 (0274) 373-177.

Keraton Tours: Monday-Sunday
8:00 am - 2:00 pm, Friday 8:00 am - 11:00 am.

HB IX Museum & Keraton Batik Museum (inside the palace):
Open daily: 10:30 am – noon.

Museum Kereta (Royal Carriages Museum),
Jl. Rotowijayan, west of the Keraton: Open daily: 10:30 am – noon. Entrance fees charged.

Daily Activities at the Keraton
All performances are held at Sri Manganti Pendopo, inside the Keraton.

• Monday: Javanese Gamelan Music – 10:00 am – noon
• Tuesday: Javanese Gamelan Music – 10:00 am – noon
• Wednesday: Golek Menak (Wooden) Puppetry (abbreviated performance) - 10:00 am – noon
• Thursday: Javanese Court Dance – 10:00 am – noon
• Friday : Javanese Poetry Recital – 9:00 – 11 am
• Saturday: Wayang Kulit (Leather) Puppetry (abbreviated performance) 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
• Sunday: Wayang Orang (Human performers) – 9:30 am – noon

Built in 1756 by Sultan Hamengku Buwono I, today the Keraton is the residence of Sultan Hamengku Buwono X and his family as well as a center of Javanese traditional arts and culture. All the buildings, courts, carvings and trees and even their locations within the 14,000 sq. m. Keraton have deep philosophical meanings and are symbolic of human life. The palace, the Tugu Monument and Mount Merapi are positioned in one line, forming a sacred axis. In the old times, the Sultan concentrated his mind along this axis before leading meetings, making decisions or giving orders to his people.

Visitors can enjoy the atmosphere of the Keraton as it was centuries ago.  Daily activities open to the public include gamelan music, Javanese poetry readings, court dances, and puppet shows designed to preserve the ancient arts. Many sets of gamelan instruments, antiques, batiks and heirlooms make the Sultan's Palace one of the most interesting tourist sites in Jogjakarta.

During the May 2006 earthquake, several Keraton buildings were damaged: Trajumas building, Tarub Agung building and Mentog Baturana. All other areas have been repaired and are open to visitors.

Puro Pakualam (Pakualam Palace)

Jl. Sultan Agung, Jogja. Phone: +62 (0274) 554-030; 372-161.
Museum open Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday 9:30 am – 2:30 pm.
Entrance fee charged.

Daily Activities
All performances are held at Sewotomo Pendopo.

• Monday: Gamelan & dance training – 5-7 pm
• Thursday: Gamelan & dance training – 5-7 pm
• Eve of Saturdays Paing (Friday night Legi): Gamelan orchestra – 9:30 pm-midnight

Jogja's “second palace”, Puro Pakualam is located between the Progo and Bogowonto Rivers, about 2 km east of the Keraton. In 1812, in an attempt to stabilize uprisings in central Java and counterbalance the strength of Sultan Hamengku Buwono I, British Lieutenant Governor General Sir Thomas Raffles created a principality within the Keraton Yogyakarta Sultanate and awarded it to one of the Sultan's sons, Prince Notokusumo. The brilliant Prince Notokusumo became Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Adipati Arya (K.G.P.A.A.) Paku Alam I and his palace, Puro Pakualam, was completed on March 17, 1813. Today it is the official residence of Prince Paku Alam IX and family.

Puro Pakualam is a magnificent and well-preserved palace, designed by K.G.P.A.A. Paku Alam I, who was also an expert in culture and literature. The 5,400 sq. m. compound is a center of Javanese culture where gamelan and dance instructions are held weekly. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful architecture, museum, royal heirlooms and heritage, holy ancestor's culture, tradition, and way of life during the times of the Mataram kingdom.

Taman Sari (Water Castle)

Jl. Taman, Jogja. Open daily 9 am – 3 pm. Entrance fee charged.

Taman Sari, means “fragrant garden”, named for the delicious fragrance emitted by 18 lavish gardens planted with flowers, vegetables and fruit trees that once were part of the compound. It was nicknamed “Water Castle” by the Dutch because of its imposing two-story mansion of Portuguese-Javanese design, now in ruins, which once stood at the center of a huge, man-made lake. Access to the castle was by means of ingenious underwater passageways with small towers placed at regular intervals providing light and ventilation.

Built by Sultan Hamengku Buwono I beginning in 1758 and completed in 1765, it was abandoned after his death. In its heyday Taman Sari also included sunken bathing pools, secluded meditation chambers, royal sleeping quarters, rooms for wives and concubines, and a mosque. It is said that the stone block supporting the mosque was taken from the ruins of Kerta, the early 17 th century palace of Mataram's Sultan Agung.

Behind the ruins of the mansion, a tunnel leads to a complex of three partially restored bathing pools, Umbul Binangun. The two larger pools were used by queens, concubines and princesses, while the small southernmost pool was reserved for the Sultan and his chosen partner. Gapura Agung, the western gate, is decorated with reliefs of birds collecting pollen. Sumur Gumuling (“Coiled Well”) is one of the marvels of the complex. Once only reachable by an underwater passageway, it is a circular atrium that is partially open to the sky with galleries on two levels all around. At the bottom of the atrium is a small pool that was once a well. Four staircases extend forming a platform suspended over the well through which the Sultan and his guests could see just above the surface of the surrounding lake. It is believed that this building was once used as a mosque, but it's more likely that it was a meditation retreat reminiscent of the undersea castle of Kangjeng Ratu Kidul, the Queen of the South Sea.

Jl. Malioboro (Malioboro Street), downtown Jogja.

Stores and stalls open 9 am – 8 pm. Food stalls open 5 pm - midnight.

Jl. Malioboro, in the heart of Jogja, is the city's main street and stretches from north to south. It is known as one of the most vibrant tourist attractions in Jogja because the street is flanked on either side by hundreds of street vendors selling a stunning array of souvenirs, handicrafts and accessories.

Jl. Malioboro is also well known for lesehan eateries which pop up along the street at night. Especially popular with the local people, diners sit on mats to have meals or drinks while discussing the events of the day. Favored dishes are nasi gudeg (young jackfruit simmered in coconut milk and spices), sate (skewered, grilled meat served with a sweet peanut sauce) and other specialty foods of the region. Jl. Malioboro is a beehive of activity day and night and is not to be missed when visiting Jogja.

At the southern end of the street is a busy traditional market, Pasar Beringharjo, or Pasar Gede (big market), where local people go to buy handicrafts, traditional foods, batik, clothes and daily needs. To the west of Jl. Malioboro along Jl. Mataram is an area called Pathuk where visitors can find a traditional snack known as Bakpia Pathuk (pastry filled with mung beans, chocolate or black beans) and facilities such as a shopping center, restaurants, hotels and supermarkets.

The Grand Mosque

Jl. Pekapalan, Jogja. Donation appreciated.

This is the royal mosque to the west of the Keraton built by Sultan Hamengku Buwono I in 1773 It was designed using Javanese traditional architecture with 36 pillars and unique inlays and is a reflection of the Islamic influences during the glory of the Jogjakarta Sultanate in the past. Today, the Grand Mosque remains a place for praying and holding religious ceremonies such as Idul Fitri (the end of the Muslim fasting month) and Idul Adha (Day of Sacrifice). Idul Fitri is celebrated on the 1st of the Javanese month Syawal and Idul Adha is held on the 10 th day of the Javanese month Besar.

Traditional ceremonies are also held here. Every year at Gerebeg Keraton guards carry gunungan, yellow rice in the shape of a mountain, in a procession from the Sultan's Palace to the courtyard of the Grand Mosque. Gerebeg is taken from the Javanese word meaning “noisy”, indicating the activity of visitors and the footsteps of the Keraton guards. The Gerebeg ceremony is held on the 12th day of the Javanese month Maulud commemorating the birth of Prophet Muhammad.

Vredeburg Fort & Benteng Budaya Museum

Jl. Jend. Ahmad Yani No. 6, Jogja. Tel: (0274) 586-934, 510-996. Open Tuesday – Thursday 8.30 am - 2.00 pm, Friday 8.30 - 11.00 am, Saturday – Sunday 8.30 am – noon. Entrance fee charged.

Located north of the Central Post Office (built in 1910), Vredeburg Fort was built by Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono I for the Dutch in 1760. It was reconstructed by Dutch colonial Governor WH Van Osseberch in 1787 and renamed ‘Rusternberg'. In 1867, an earthquake caused extensive damage. Following further restoration the name was changed back to ‘Vredenburg', meaning the fortress of peace. It was used as a military headquarters during the Dutch, English, and Japanese occupations and included barracks, officers' quarters, a hospital warehouse and a jail. From 1945 until 1947 it functioned as the Indonesian military headquarters. Within the complex there's an entrenchment connected by a little bridge, and the main gate leads to the inner complex where 13 buildings including a bam, houses, and halls. The old fort now houses a museum showing the history of Indonesian independence with dioramas, replicas, photos, and paintings. The old barracks have been converted into exhibition halls which frequently display visual arts.

See “What's On Jogja – Visual Art Exhibitions” for scheduled exhibitions.

OUTSIDE JOGJA

Imogiri Royal Cemetery

Open only on Monday at 10 am – 12 pm and Friday at 1 – 4 pm. Entrance fee charged.

Located on a beautiful hill about 17 km south of Jogja is Imogiri Royal Cemetery built in 1645 by Sultan Agung. All Mataram kingdom monarchs from the Jogjakarta and Surakarta families rest here. Visitors must wear traditional Javanese clothes. Men must wear black or dark blue lurik and are not allowed to wear a kris (traditional dagger), and women must wear kemben, which are provided by the abdi dalem (the keeper of the cemetery) for a small fee. To reach the graveyard, visitors have to climb 345 stairs to reach the top of the hill where the tombs of the kings lie. There is a myth that if visitors can count the number of stairs correctly, all his or her wishes will be granted.

Kota Gede Royal Cemetery

Jl. Pasar Kota Gede, Jogja. Open Tuesday 8 am – 3 pm and Friday 1 pm – 5 pm. Donation/entrance fee charged.

Kota Gede, an old city located in the southern part of Jogja, was the capital of the Islamic Mataram kingdom during the 16th century, when Panembahan Senopati was the first king. As a flourishing trading center which attracted merchants and craftsmen until the Mataram kingdom moved to Kerta in 1614, there are many unique landmarks here to visit: the Royal Mosque, Hastarenggo Royal Cemetery, the Watu Gilang stone, the ancient fort, and the Kalang traditional house. Kota Gede is also well known for its silver. Visitors can watch silversmiths working at their craft at a number of shops. The Royal Cemetery houses 81 graves of Mataram sultans and their families and has two large banyan trees guarding the entrance to the complex, which also includes an ancient mosque and two courtyards with spring-fed pools. Visitors are required to wear traditional Javanese clothes to visit the cemetery, which are provided by abdi dalem (the keeper of the cemetery) for a small fee.

TEMPLES & MONUMENTS

The fame of Borobudur and Prambanan is so widely spread that visitors often jet in to see them, then immediately jet out again to continue their holidays elsewhere. Few people outside of archaeologists and scholars are aware of just how numerous the temples and monuments of Central Java really are. Unfortunately, today many of them are not much more than a pile of stones or a statue unearthed by a farmer plowing his field. But for those who wish to dig deeper into the archaeological mysteries of this area, drop by LIP (the French Cultural Center) on Jl. Sagan and ask to see a copy of a little book called “Jogja Sites Out of Sight” describing the archaeological findings as of 2002 of nearly 40 temple and monument sites. The temples listed here are in the vicinities of Borobudur, Prambanan and Ratu Boko, however the book also describes lesser known ruins in more remote locations.

There are two other temple complexes in Central Java not-to-be missed. At Dieng Plateau, near Wonosobo, are eight small Hindu temples from the 7 th and 8 th centuries, the oldest in Central Java. Surrounded by craters of boiling mud, colored lakes, caves, sulfur outlets, hot water sources and underground channels; the plateau is an eerie sight. Southwest of Semarang is Gedong Songo, a rarely visited complex of five temples constructed in the 8 th and 9th centuries. This site highlights how the location of temples in Hinduism was as important as the structures themselves. Beautiful panoramas of three volcanoes and Dieng Plateau can be seen on a clear day.

Larger and more popular temples have set opening and closing times and charge an entrance fee. If trekking through villages to see simple ruins, there are no set times and visitors may be requested to make a small donation.

Borobudur

Located 42 kms north of Jogja in Magelang Regency.
Open daily 7 am – 6 pm. Entrance fee charged.
See www.borobudurpark.com.

Mahakarya Management office, Jl. Badrawati, Borobudur, Magelang 56553, Tel: (0293) 788-266, Fax: 788-132, e-mail: borobudur@borobudurpark.co.id.

Events, including performing arts, are held on the Aksobya open stage next to Borobodur. Recent events include: “The Legend of Mahakarya Borobudur”, a dance depicting the history of the monument; an International Folk and Dance Festival; Waicak Ceremony celebrating the birth enlightenment and death of Buddha; and the ASEAN Ramayana Festival, an epic dance dialog with India, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Indonesia. For further information, contact the Mahakarya Management office or pujosuwarno@borobudurpark.co.id or see schedules at www.borobudurpark.com.

Borobudur is the one of the 'must see' sites for all visitors to Jogja. It is a magnificent Buddhist monument constructed between 750 and 850 AD when Central Java was still a Buddhist kingdom. Long abandoned, the first rediscovery and appreciation of Borobudur began in 1815 under Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, who was the Let. Governor of Java during the brief time the British ruled Indonesia. Total reconstruction of the thousands of stones and reliefs took place under the Indonesian government who, with the assistance of UNESCO, completed a 10-year restoration project in 1984. Today, Borobudur is a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site with seven levels and 1,460 carved stone reliefs telling the story of the Buddha and representing the steps from the earthly realm to Nirvana. Borobudur is best seen in the early morning or at twilight. Visitors can hire guides, who speak several foreign languages, at the site for a thorough appreciation of the reliefs.

In the Borobudur Park complex are two museums: Borobudur Ship Museum (Samudra Raksa Museum Kapal) and Karmawibhangga Archaeological Museum, Click on "Museums" for further information.

It's a pity that people don't spend more time in the countryside when they visit Borobudur monument. Tourists have the habit of staying a couple of hours and bussing out again. And many of us who live here – weary of the ever-aggressive vendors at the monument – prefer to spend our time in other pursuits. It's too bad because there's plenty to see and do in the area. The bonus is no city pollution and noise!

At Muntilan, both sides of the main road (Jalan Magelang) are lined with shops selling large and small stone sculptures, begging to be explored. In less than an hour from Jogja, you turn left toward Mungkid and are immediately surrounded by verdant rice fields. Leaving the chaos of the traffic behind, a sense of calm and peacefulness immediately pervades.

On the road to Borobudur there are a couple of large silver shops – the sort that tour buses frequent – which could save a trip south to Kota Gede if time doesn't permit doing both. Next is Candi Mendut, an 8th century Mahayana Buddhist temple and Candi Pawon, an 8th century Buddhist temple believed to be dedicated to Kuvera, god of wealth. And then Taman Anggrek, a large garden selling orchids, just across the street from the enormous two-story H. Widayat Museum & Gallery. Borodudur is only a hop, skip and a jump further down the road.

Also available in the area are river rafting, meditation tours and excellent views of Merapi. Stopping off for a sunset drink at Amanjiwa Resort would be an excellent way to end the day.

The Tourism & Culture Authority of Magelang Regency offers Borobudur Sunrise tours and an Exploring Borobudur & Surrounding Area by Becak (pedicab) tour.

For more information, visit their website at www.borobudurcorner.com.

Prambanan Temple

Jl. Jogja-Solo, Km. 17. Open daily 7 am – 6 pm. Entrance fee charged.
See www.borobudurpark.com.

The Ramayana Ballet is performed in the Prambanan Temple Complex starting at 7:30 p.m.

May-October on or around full moon evenings on the open-air stage in the Prambanan complex. A cast of 200 artists performs with the magnificent temple as its backdrop.

November-April on or around full moon evenings on the indoor stage at Trimurti Theater in the Prambanan Temple Complex. A cast of 50 artists puts on a stunning performance.

There are two versions of the production of the epic poem. The “episodic story” consists of four parts performed on four consecutive nights. Each episode lasts about 1.5 hours. The “full story” is a compilation of the four episodes and lasts about 2 hours, with a 15-minute refreshments break. Both versions of the dance-drama have been modified for tourists by omitting lengthy Javanese dialog. Refreshments are available on-site. For reservations call (0274) 496-408 or 497-771. Visit www.borobudurpark.com for complete schedules or click on What’s On Jogja – Theater & Dance for the current schedule. Click on Attractions & Info – Performing Arts Venues for a description of the play.

Prambanan Temple is a magnificent Hindu monument. Its commonly known name is derived from the village where it is located, but locally it is known as Roro (often incorrectly spelled Loro) Jonggrang, or Temple of the Slender Virgin. It is the biggest and most beautiful Hindu temple in Indonesia and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located 17 km east of Jogja, it is believed to have been built by King Balitung Maha Sambu in the middle of the ninth century. Its parapets are adorned with a bas-relief depicting the famous Ramayana story. The temple complex, containing eight shrines, lies among green fields and peaceful villages. The main temple, dedicated to Shiva, rises to a height of 130 feet and houses a magnificent statue of Shiva's consort, Durga. Other temples are devoted to Vishnu and Brahma.

The area's first open-air theater staging Ramayana performances is on the southern side of the temple and was built in 1960; the new theater on the western side of the temple was completed in 1988. During full moon evenings in the months from May to October, the Ramayana ballet is performed here episodically in four evenings.

In the May 2006 earthquake, the entire complex suffered serious structural damage with deep internal cracks and some temples threatening to topple. The evaluation team, which included UNESCO, the Indonesian government and several other agencies, spent 12 months evaluating the damage. They estimate restoration work may take several years to complete. The complex remains open to the public. An iron fence has been erected around the main group of temples to protect visitors from falling stones. Although no longer able to venture inside the main temples, visitors can still see the grandeur of the complex and entrance fees may help support the local people who formerly earned a living there.

NORTH OF MAIN PRAMBANAN COMPLEX

Candi Gana
Rich in statues, bas-reliefs and sculpted stones, there are frequent representations of children (or dwarfs or the Ganas, Shiva's servers, who support the world) with raised hands here. Candi Gana is located in the middle of a housing complex and has been under restoration since 1997. Once called Candi Asu (Dog temple).

Candi Plaosan Complex
Plaosan Village, Bugisan, Prambanan, Sleman Regency.
Open daily 8 am – 5 pm. Entrance fee charged.

The unique unification of 9 th century Hindu and Buddhist architecture in the Plaosan Temple Complex was probably brought about by a Hindu king who built the temple for his Buddhist queen. The complex consists of two main temples standing side by side, each having terraced bases. The reliefs carved on the southern main temple portray a man, and the other one shows a woman. Another peculiar object that is interesting to see is its perwara, “slender stupa”. There are 58 small temples and 116 stupas in the complex.

WEST OF MAIN PRAMBANAN COMPLEX

Arca Bugisan
Seven Buddha and Bodhisativa statues, some collapsed, represent different poses and expressions. The statues, posed on the ground under the shade of trees, represent different poses and expressions of Buddha and Bodhisattva. This temple is in the center of a village and has not been well studied.

Located at the Bugisan hamlet, village of Tamanmartani, Kalasan district, Sleman. The location can be reached from the Jogjakarta-Solo Street. At the 16th km take a south (right) turn from the main street and go for about 100m.

Candi Sari
Bendan Village, Tirtomartani, Kalasan, Sleman Regency.
Open daily 8 am – 5 pm. Entrance Fee charged.

This two-story Buddhist temple is located 600 meters from Kalasan temple. It was built around the 9 th century AD as a vihara Buddhist monastery. The first floor was a praying room and on the second story were the monks' chambers. At its top are nine stupas. Windows are built around the temple, with the exception of the west side because of the Buddha and Boddhisattva statues. The temple is decorated with talent: there are 36 large figures represented in relief on the exterior walls, still covered with stucco (vrajalepa), but some of the figures are difficult to recognize: half-gods, Naga kings, masculine and feminine divinities following the Tribangga rules, some of which are reminiscent of Tara, the bodhisattva consecrated at Kalasan. Notice the Kinara-Kinari (bird-angels) near the windows and the elephant friezes at each side of the door, also the two guardian statues of Dwarapala and Gupala at the entry.

Candi Sambisari
Sambisari Village, Purwomartani, Kalasan.

Open daily 8 am – 5 pm. Entrance fee charged. This Hindu temple is located west of Candi Sari and was built in the middle of 9th century AD. The temple complex consists of one main and three small temples. The main temple is ornamented with Hindu statues: Dewi Durgamahisasuramardhini on the north, Ganesha on the west, and Agastya on the south. Sambisari was buried by eruptions from Mt. Merapi for a century. It was discovered in 1976 by a farmer plowing his field. The temple is still used as a place of worship for the Hindu of the region.

Candi Kedulan
Kedulan village, Tirtomartani, Kalasan.

This Hindu temple, built of andesite, has a yoni of large dimensions. Its entourage, of which fragments have been found, is not entirely excavated. The temple is in the middle of fields, with free entrance.

Candi Kalasan
Kalibening Village, Tirtomartani, Kalasan.
Open daily 8 am – 5 pm. Entrance fee charged.

This Buddhist temple is located south of Candi Sari. Kalasan is one of the masterpieces of the Classic Javanese era, built in 778 AD by King Panangkaran. This temple is surrounded by stupas used as monks' graves. The temple entrance is carved with beautiful kala (celestial elements) motifs.

RATU BOKO AREA

Ratu Boko Palace
Jl. Raya Piyungan, 3 km south of Prambanan Temple at Dawung and Sambirejo villages, Piyungan, or 19 km east of Jogjakarta. See www.borobudurpark.com.
Open daily 7 am - 6 pm. Entrance fee charged.

Ratu Boko Palace is a huge complex built on 16 hectares as the residence of King Boko of the first Mataram dynasty. Local legend says that Ratu Boko liked to eat human flesh.

Primarily in ruins, visitors must use their imaginations to fill in historical and structural gaps. Gold plates inscribed with Buddhist mantras have been found here dating to 792 A.D, along with stupas and Bodhisattva statues, indicating that at one time it might have also been a monastery. However, Hindu remains such as lingga and Ganesha statues have also been discovered.

From the restored main entrance to the right is the Palace's audience hall that has been restored. On the left of the hall is a Keputren Pool (“Princess' Bath”) that was used as a bathing pool for women. Fragments of sculptures and bas-reliefs can be found around the pools: elephants, birds and snakes. Other partial structures are a crematory temple, now only a tall platform bordered by steps and surrounded by parapets; a pendopo (meeting hall) surrounded by a high rock fence with three entrance gates and water spouts outside the fence; a miniature Hindu temple with three small gates representing Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu; and the alun-alun, the town square. To the south of the complex are two caves, probably used for meditation.

The panoramic views surrounding the complex are breathtaking. On a clear morning, Mount Merapi and Prambanan and Kalasan temples are visible to the north, while to the south, the Indian Ocean is discernible in the distance.

SOUTHEAST OF RATU BOKO

Candi Barong
Candisari Village, Bokoharjo, Prambanan.
Open daily 8 am – 5 pm. Entrance fee charged.

Overlooking Banyunibo is Candi Barong, a Hindu temple built around the 9 th century AD. There are two separate terraces. The first one is empty but on the second are two temples, both of which are almost identical and have no entrances. Each side of the two buildings has similar decorations. The temple's roof is of three ornamented tiers resembling those on Candi Ijo. Interesting is that the main room of the building is at the back, not in the center like other temples. It is called Barong because of the barong head ornament on the complex gate.

About 50 m north of Barong lies the Dawangsari site. Although nothing remains but a few scattered stones, it is thought that Dawangsari was a Buddhist temple, whereas Barong was Hindu.

Candi Banyunibo
Cepit Village, Bokoharjo, Prambanan.
Open daily 8 am – 5:00 pm. Entrance fee charged.

Candi Banyunibo can easily be visited after strolling through Ratu Boko Palace. Situated about 2 km southeast of Ratu Boko, Banyunibo is a solitary complex in the middle of farmland and is flanked by the Gunung Kidul hills to the south, offering exotic scenery and enjoyable views. Although quite small, this Buddhist temple has interesting features, such as a slightly curved roof functioning as the top of the stupa and giving it a unique charm. Built around the 9th century, every window is carved with likenesses of Sakti, the wife of Buddha: on the west windows is Pandarawasini Sakti from Amitabha, the north Tarini Sakti from Amogasiddhi, and on the south Mamaki Sakti from Ratnasambhawa. This temple is surrounded by Hindu fragments.

Like all other sacred places, tiny Banyunibo (which means “dripping water”) is still used today as a place of meditation and contemplation. Local legend says that there was once a river flowing from Ratu Boko to Banyunibo which carried gold.

Candi Ijo
Candi Ijo is a complex of three-tiered temples, but only one, at the top, has been renovated. While Hindu, its main temple and three secondary shrines (currently under renovation), surrounded by a wall, are more imposing then other Hindu temples. According to local legend, Ijo hill is guarded by a naga (magical serpent) and his turtledoves. Villagers report hearing the flapping of the birds' wings taking flight.

Arca Gupolo
Located south of Ratu Boko, Arca Gupolo is a group of seven statues in a circle, as if in assembly. The largest, two meters tall, represents an Agastya. At its side, you can see a trident. The second statue is of a Shiva in a sitting position. The other statues are unfortunately too damaged for the subject to be known (possibly Buddha). An eponymous well, a rarity in the dry region, stands near the site under the fresh and humid shadow of giant teaks. Flower decorations on the clothes of the largest one are still visible.

SOUTHWEST OF RATU BOKO

Watugudig
2 km south of Prambanan, Watugudig is believed to be a resting place for King Boko. The name means “wounded stones” referring to the appearance of the stones used to construct around 40 pole sittings in the shape of a Javanese gong with a protruding part in the middle. It is likely the sittings were the base of a pendopo (meeting hall), believed to date from the 8 th to 9 th centuries, during the Ratu Boko era.

Candi Abang
Sentonorejo village, Jogotirto, Berbah

Actually a well surrounded by very tall walls shaped like a pyramid, in some ways resembling Borobudur. Despite its state of disrepair, its atmosphere is unique. The well is called Bandung by the local people and the plane of the hill is regularly used as a campground by students. A hexagonal yoni has been discovered, making it believed to be a Hindu site.

Gua Sentono
At the base of Abang temple, Sentono cave is perhaps younger than other regional temples. A complex of caves with two mouths, there is a statue and bas-relief carvings in the left chamber.

Situs Payak
5 m below ground, Situs Payak is the best preserved bathing place in Central Java. It is thought to be Hindu. This site is in the middle of the Payak hamlet, village of Srimulyo, Piyungan district, Bantul regency.

Candi Gampingan
Gampingan village, Sitimulyo

Ruins of a temple and stairs 1.5 m underground are all that remains of Candi Gampingan. Reliefs of animals at the foot of the temple are believed to be a fable.