Keraton Yogyakarta

The palace court, a grand and elegant masterpiece of Javanese architecture, lies in the center of the city. It was founded by Prince Mangkubumi in 1755. The prince was then called Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono I. He chose to build the palace between the Winongo river and the Code river.

The palace meeting hall is called the Pagelaran and often the place where formal meetings of the palace officials are held. Meanwhile, the Manguntur Tangkil hall is the place where the Sultan is seated. This hall lies in Sitihinggil.

Siti means ground and Hinggil means high. The front gate is called Danapratapa and is guarded by two giants statues called Gupala. One is called Cingkorobolo and the other Bolopoto.
They are all supposed to protect the palace from any harm or evil. The main part of the building is called Purwaritna, in which the Sultan officiated his duties.

Beside this building, there are two store buildings called Panti Sumbaga. One was used for the Sultan's private library and the building where the Sultan lived or stayed is called Gedong Kuning. The palace visitors can enjoy the atmosphere of the Keraton of former times by visiting the life-size drama of wedding ceremonies, performed by puppets which are intentionally arranged to create such an atmosphere. Many sets of gamelan (Javanese musical instruments), antiques and heirlooms have made the palace of Yogyakarta a most interesting tourist attraction in the city of Yogyakarta. The palace of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat is a place where the family and relations of Sultan Hamengku Buwono X make their residence.