The Sights of Solo
rumah Turi is located in Solo, also known as Surakarta, an old royal city with mystical origins. Until the end of the 18th century, Solo was a small village alongside the Bengawan Solo River. Today, it has grown into a thriving city with a busy arts scene and a tourism revival that is rooted in responsible, cultural tourism.
A short history of Solo
In 1742 King Paku Buwono II was on a quest to transfer his court, capital of the Mataram Kingdom. He chose the small village of Solo, where according to the official record of court historians, the local lake was drained by favor of the mythical queen of the Southern Sea, Nyi Roro Kidul so that the king could build a new palace.
However, the transfer of capital was not auspicious. The Mataram Kingdom declined, and split into three rival courts: the Surakarta Sunanate (northern court), the Jogjakarta Sultanate (southern court), and the rival royal house of Mangkunegoro. Surakarta and Mangkunegoro remained loyal to the Dutch colonists well into the 20th century, while remaining bastions of Javanese feudalism and aristocracy.
What to see in Solo
- Kasunanan Palace (kraton Surakarta) (3 km from rumah Turi)
This is one of the top landmarks in Solo, constructed by King Paku Buwono II in 1745. Centuries ago, Kasunanan Palace was the residence of the Java king Paku Buwono II, who was at that time the ruler of Central Java. The palace is ornate with traditional Javanese architectures. The Panggung Songgo Buwono, or Tower of the Universe, is another site worth a visit as it is said that the tower is the meeting place of The Goddess of the Sea. Inside the palace, an art gallery and a museum include exhibits such as heirlooms, ancient weapons, and silver and bronze Hindu-Javanese figures. According to the New York Times, “the kraton sees itself as a keeper of Javanese tradition—of purity, refinement and cosmic spirituality—and has continued to perform court rituals and to hold regal processions through the city.”
- Puro Mangkunegaran (kraton Mangkunegaran) (2 km from rumah Turi)
Dating back to 1757, Puro Mangkunegaran is the palace of the second ruling house of the Solo. Work on this kraton began under Mangkunegoro II, at the end of the 18th century, and the palace was completed in 1866. Although the palace has been renovated several times, visitors can still observe the original design of the site. This building shows the distinctive form of Javanese buildings (joglo), using teak wood. Puro Mangkunegaran consists of two main sections: pendopo and dalem. Pendopo typifies joglo-style architecture, with four saka guru (main pillars) that reach 10.5m in length. The pendopo is used to hold receptions and for performances of traditional Javanese dances. In the southwest side there is a gamelan set (Kyai Kanyut Mesem). This gamelan is played every Wednesday to accompany the traditional dance rehearsals. Members of the royal family still live at the back of the palace.
- Radya Pustaka Museum
Visitors interested in gamelan instruments, jeweled kris and wayang puppets can walk through the Radya Pustaka Museum, built by Adipati Sosrodiningrat IV (vice king) during the reigns of Paku Buwono IX and X. The Radya Pustaka Museum is located on Slamet Riyadi street, part of the Sriwedari Park area. In front of museum, there is the Ronggowarsito Monument that was inaugurated by Sukarno, the Indonesian Republic’s first president.
- Triwindu Antique Market
Triwindu Antique Market is located nearby Puro Mangkunegaran. This market showcases an array of antique objects, such as lamps, toys, and statues. Triwindu Antique Market is open every day from 09.00 to 17.00.
- Klewer Market (3 km from rumah Turi)
Located next to alun-alun lor (northern square) of the Kasunanan Palace, this is the largest batik market in Java, providing various kinds of batik (from traditional to modern style).Open daily from 11.00 to 16.00.
- Gedhe Market
In ancient times, Gedhe Market was a small market located across from the Governor's office. The building was designed by the Dutch architect Thomas Karsten in 1930, initially with the name Market Hardjanagara Gede. Today it houses a busy market selling a variety of produce.
- Sriwedari Park
This site was initially opened as a resort and recreational center for the royal family. Inspired by a story about a mythical park in heaven, King Paku Buwono X created the park which is now generally referred to as Kebun Rojo, which means king’s garden. Today, the park is one of the most popular leisure areas of the city and boasts small restaurants renowned for traditional local dishes, a museum, and many souvenir stands. There is also a children playground and zoo, which features the widest selection of animals in Central Java. Sriwedari Park is also home to nightly programs of wayang orang, the live wayang dance dramas that are performed by top wayang dancers and singers. The park also plays host to a month-long evening bazaar, which is held before the celebration of Idul Fitri.
- Sangiran Museum (15 km from rumah Turi)
Excavation in the area began in the year 1934, when renowned anthropologist Gustav Heinrich Ralph von Koenigswald began examining the site. Excavations revealed fossils of some of the first known human ancestors, Pithecanthropus erectus, also dubbed as the “Java Man”. Excavations in the area continued till 1941 and during these years, 50 fossils of Meganthropus palaeo and Pithecanthropus erectus/Homo erectus were discovered. All these fossils add up to almost half of all the world's known hominid fossils.
rumah Turi is located in Solo, also known as Surakarta, an old royal city with mystical origins. Until the end of the 18th century, Solo was a small village alongside the Bengawan Solo River. Today, it has grown into a thriving city with a busy arts scene and a tourism revival that is rooted in responsible, cultural tourism.
A short history of Solo
In 1742 King Paku Buwono II was on a quest to transfer his court, capital of the Mataram Kingdom. He chose the small village of Solo, where according to the official record of court historians, the local lake was drained by favor of the mythical queen of the Southern Sea, Nyi Roro Kidul so that the king could build a new palace.
However, the transfer of capital was not auspicious. The Mataram Kingdom declined, and split into three rival courts: the Surakarta Sunanate (northern court), the Jogjakarta Sultanate (southern court), and the rival royal house of Mangkunegoro. Surakarta and Mangkunegoro remained loyal to the Dutch colonists well into the 20th century, while remaining bastions of Javanese feudalism and aristocracy.
What to see in Solo
- Kasunanan Palace (kraton Surakarta) (3 km from rumah Turi)
This is one of the top landmarks in Solo, constructed by King Paku Buwono II in 1745. Centuries ago, Kasunanan Palace was the residence of the Java king Paku Buwono II, who was at that time the ruler of Central Java. The palace is ornate with traditional Javanese architectures. The Panggung Songgo Buwono, or Tower of the Universe, is another site worth a visit as it is said that the tower is the meeting place of The Goddess of the Sea. Inside the palace, an art gallery and a museum include exhibits such as heirlooms, ancient weapons, and silver and bronze Hindu-Javanese figures. According to the New York Times, “the kraton sees itself as a keeper of Javanese tradition—of purity, refinement and cosmic spirituality—and has continued to perform court rituals and to hold regal processions through the city.” - Puro Mangkunegaran (kraton Mangkunegaran) (2 km from rumah Turi)
Dating back to 1757, Puro Mangkunegaran is the palace of the second ruling house of the Solo. Work on this kraton began under Mangkunegoro II, at the end of the 18th century, and the palace was completed in 1866. Although the palace has been renovated several times, visitors can still observe the original design of the site. This building shows the distinctive form of Javanese buildings (joglo), using teak wood. Puro Mangkunegaran consists of two main sections: pendopo and dalem. Pendopo typifies joglo-style architecture, with four saka guru (main pillars) that reach 10.5m in length. The pendopo is used to hold receptions and for performances of traditional Javanese dances. In the southwest side there is a gamelan set (Kyai Kanyut Mesem). This gamelan is played every Wednesday to accompany the traditional dance rehearsals. Members of the royal family still live at the back of the palace. - Radya Pustaka Museum
Visitors interested in gamelan instruments, jeweled kris and wayang puppets can walk through the Radya Pustaka Museum, built by Adipati Sosrodiningrat IV (vice king) during the reigns of Paku Buwono IX and X. The Radya Pustaka Museum is located on Slamet Riyadi street, part of the Sriwedari Park area. In front of museum, there is the Ronggowarsito Monument that was inaugurated by Sukarno, the Indonesian Republic’s first president.
- Triwindu Antique Market
Triwindu Antique Market is located nearby Puro Mangkunegaran. This market showcases an array of antique objects, such as lamps, toys, and statues. Triwindu Antique Market is open every day from 09.00 to 17.00.
- Klewer Market (3 km from rumah Turi)
Located next to alun-alun lor (northern square) of the Kasunanan Palace, this is the largest batik market in Java, providing various kinds of batik (from traditional to modern style).Open daily from 11.00 to 16.00.
- Gedhe Market
In ancient times, Gedhe Market was a small market located across from the Governor's office. The building was designed by the Dutch architect Thomas Karsten in 1930, initially with the name Market Hardjanagara Gede. Today it houses a busy market selling a variety of produce. - Sriwedari Park
This site was initially opened as a resort and recreational center for the royal family. Inspired by a story about a mythical park in heaven, King Paku Buwono X created the park which is now generally referred to as Kebun Rojo, which means king’s garden. Today, the park is one of the most popular leisure areas of the city and boasts small restaurants renowned for traditional local dishes, a museum, and many souvenir stands. There is also a children playground and zoo, which features the widest selection of animals in Central Java. Sriwedari Park is also home to nightly programs of wayang orang, the live wayang dance dramas that are performed by top wayang dancers and singers. The park also plays host to a month-long evening bazaar, which is held before the celebration of Idul Fitri. - Sangiran Museum (15 km from rumah Turi)
Excavation in the area began in the year 1934, when renowned anthropologist Gustav Heinrich Ralph von Koenigswald began examining the site. Excavations revealed fossils of some of the first known human ancestors, Pithecanthropus erectus, also dubbed as the “Java Man”. Excavations in the area continued till 1941 and during these years, 50 fossils of Meganthropus palaeo and Pithecanthropus erectus/Homo erectus were discovered. All these fossils add up to almost half of all the world's known hominid fossils.
