An alun-alun (town square) is an important part of a kraton (palace), and Kraton Surakarta Hadiningrat has two of them nestled at its northern and southern ends.Due to its spacious lawns and huge banyan trees, the alun-alun is like a great entrance welcoming visitors to Kraton Surakarta. It is basically an attraction unto itself.Some say Sultan Hamengkubuwono I copied the design when he built the alun-alun in Yogyakarta after deciding to split from Surakarta and build a new kraton, the Kraton Yogyakarta Hadiningrat.
Famous as a city that is fiercely proud of its Javanese traditions, the regal city of Solo or Surakarta is known throughout Indonesia as a strong upholder of Javanese culture. A visit here is a chance to connect with and take in the sights and sounds of ancient Javanese culture. You’ll need at least a few days to explore the city to wander around and discover all the vibrant old markets, busy street life and ancient buildings.
While you are here pay a visit to the many cultural attractions of the city such as the two keratons or palaces, of the Sunan of Surakarta and the Prince of Mangkunegara. Take a load off your feet and ride a pushcart along the maze of white palace walls.
While you are here pay a visit to the many cultural attractions of the city such as the two keratons or palaces, of the Sunan of Surakarta and the Prince of Mangkunegara. Take a load off your feet and ride a pushcart along the maze of white palace walls.
Surakarta's alun alun utara (northern town square) is arguably more interesting than the southern alun-alun due to its close proximity to Kraton Surakarta Museum and Pasar Klewer (Klewer Market). But aside from these two popular destinations, there is an assortment of interesting sites nearby to visit.
Pasar Batu Mulia
Other than precious gems such as batu akik (agate gemstone), diamond and pearl necklaces, prayer beads and sorcerer's stone, you will also find merchants selling pieces of wood or gnarled tree roots at expensive prices due their supposedly magical powers.
Balai Agung Kerajinan Wayang Kulit Kraton
The wayang kulit (leather puppets) characters are made using detailed engravings according to their characters. For the kings' character, for example, the artisan will use elaborate carving patterns called lereng and parang, while a simpler pattern called kawung is reserved for Punakawan characters.Usually a small wayang character, such as Puntadewa and Janaka, can be made in five to seven days, while bigger ones such as raksasa (giant) and gunungan (mountains) will take from one week to two weeks to complete.
Presently, Balai Agung receives orders of wayang kulit for performances as well as souvenirs, with prices starting at Rp 300,000 (US$25.55) and reaching Rp 3.5 million depending on the size and customization.
Pusat Kacamata
Pasar Cinderamata
Right beside Pusat Kacamata is a souvenir shop called Pasar Cinderamata.All kinds of souvenirs from Surakarta can be found here, making it a great place to shop before heading back home.Items like wayang puppets made of wood and cardboard, which are cheaper than the leather wayang kulit puppets, are plentiful at this market.You will also find merchants selling various types of keris (short dagger), which can be used as house decoration or as a Javanese wedding attribute.
Pagelaran Sasonosumewo
Continue on and enter the Kraton Surakarta area where you can begin a tour from a place called Pagelaran Sasonosumewo, which is basically a huge pavilion with Bangsal Pangrawit in the center that was used for royal ceremonies during the reign of Pakubuwono X.A chair where the king used to sit and a big cannon named Kyai Pontjoworo can also be found here.
Mesjid Agung Surakarta
Mesjid Agung Surakarta features four saka guru (main pillar) and 12 saka rawa (additional pillar), as well as three doors at the northern side, three doors at the southern side and one door right in the center of the building. The mosque also has a 25-meter tall azan (call to prayer) tower built by Pakubuwono X in 1929.
Taman Buku
Taman Buku (Book Garden) will be your last stop before leaving the alun-alun utara, heading back through the entrance.Filled with racks of new and old books, this place is a haven for book collectors thanks to its rich collections of ancient books in the Javanese and Dutch languages.Prices depend on the books you want to buy, as well as your interactions with the seller, so don’t forget to smile a lost as you bargain.
Source News : http://www.jakpost.travel/news/seven-places-to-explore-in-surakartas-alun-alun-utara-FkSMbhuwWeVKaXvc.html
Thanks To : | Aug 28, 2014
