Indonesia has many claims to fame: its white sandy beaches, magnificent mountains, lush terraced fields, diverse cultures, colorful markets and ancient history. It’s hardly surprising then that the world’s largest archipelago nation is also home to nine UNESCO Heritage Sites — the highest number in Southeast Asia. Four of these nine UNESCO sites are found on the island of Java, and three of these are easily accessible from Yogyakarta, one of the island’s key cities.
Fondly called Jogja by its residents, the city of Yogyakarta is at the heart of Javanese culture. It’s the only Indonesian city still ruled by a sultan, and is known largely for its traditional arts, from dance to puppetry, textile weaving to silversmithing. To wrap your head around Javanese heritage, here are six of Yogyakarta’s UNESCO sites and other stunning historical buildings.
Sunrise views at Borobudur
A trip to Jogja isn’t complete without a visit to Borobudur, a 90-minute drive from the city in Java’s Kedu valley. Comprising countless interlocked Lego-like volcanic blocks, Borobudur is Indonesia’s most famous landmark. The iconic 9th-century complex, and the largest Buddhist temple in the world, also features 2,672 carved panels and over 500 Buddha statues. The temple was built during the reign of the Sailendra dynasty between 780 CE and 840 CE, and designed according to Javanese Buddhist architecture styles, with influences of India’s Gupta architecture. Its nine concentric platforms, each topped by a terrace that in turn is crowned by a central dome, represents Mount Meru, the spiritual home of all Buddhists. Catch views of its surrounding terraced fields, soaked in hues of orange at dawn, from the nearby Setumbu Hill.
Temple-hopping at Prambanan
Every year, thousands of visitors come to Yogyakarta primarily for the Hindu temple complex of Prambanan, another UNESCO Heritage Site. Situated on Jogja’s outskirts, the 9th-century temple complex has 240 temples (some of them in ruins) and is the largest of its kind in Indonesia. Dedicated to the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, as well as to the Hindu pantheon, the complex is believed to have been built 50 years after Borobudur, also during the Sailendra dynasty. The breathtaking Prambanan features manicured lawns surrounding the richly carved temple spires, walls adorned with scenes from the Hindu epic Ramayana and intricately chiseled platforms. Do stay for sunset, when you can often catch the heavily abridged but nevertheless spellbinding Ramayana Ballet, with over 200 dancers and musicians performing against the dramatic backdrop of temple silhouettes.
A glimpse into pre-history at Sangiran
Archaeology buffs will love this one. Located 86 kilometers northeast of Yogyakarta, the Sangiran Early Man Site covers an area of 5,600 hectares and is considered a key site for understanding human evolution. Inhabited continuously for the last one and a half million years, Sangiran found its fame in the 1930s after the discovery of the Java Man remains (the first discovered specimen of Homo erectus) and associated stone tools and artifacts. Today, Sangiran is an important UNESCO Heritage Site rich in human and animal fossils. Close to the excavation site, dioramas, both small and gigantic, are on view at the Museum Manusia Purba Sangiran.
Royal life at Kraton
It’s not a UNESCO Heritage Site, but the Palace of Yogyakarta is an essential part of any deep-dive into Javanese royal heritage. Locally known as keraton or kraton, it is the official residence of the present Sultan of Yogyakarta and his family. Initially commissioned by Yogyakarta’s first Sultan Hamengku Buwono I in 1755–1756, the palace is surrounded by Yogyakarta’s historical city center and its traditional Javanese townscape as a representation of the cosmos. Sadly, subsequent invasions and earthquakes damaged much of the old palace. Today, Kraton is Java’s most important political hub, home to beautiful pavilions, luxurious halls, spacious courtyards, colonial cottages and residences. Most of these are off-limits, but visitors can still explore a limited portion of the grounds and wander through a museum filled with royal artifacts.
Indonesia’s freedom struggle at Fort Vredeburg Museum
Once you’re done admiring Kraton, take a short walk to Fort Vredeburg Museum, once known as the Fortress of Peace. An erstwhile military fort from the 1760s, it was first built on a plot of land bequeathed by Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono I at the request of the Dutch governor. In 1992, Fort Vredeburg was converted into a museum commemorating Indonesia’s freedom struggle. The square-shaped fort with a jagang (moat) and four watchtowers in each of its corners has many stories to tell about the country’s fightback against colonial rule. Replicas, photographs, paintings and dioramas are on display in its informative and well-maintained galleries. Fort Vredeburg Museum is open to visitors on all days of the week, except on Mondays and national holidays.
A becak ride to Taman Sari
Built as a sanctuary for the sultans, the 18th-century Taman Sari is often referred to as a water castle, thanks to its large bathing enclosure and waterways. In the past, the umbul pasiraman, or the bathing complex inside its premises, was only used by the sultan and his concubines. Today, people head to the octagonal-shaped courtyards, pools, underground tunnel and circular-shaped mosque for photo-ops. Taman Sari is just a few blocks away from the Palace of Yogyakarta, but we recommend getting there on the iconic becak (a pedal trishaw), to complete the Javanese heritage experience.
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