The Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) is one of four regions in Indonesia granted special autonomy rights. DIY has the equivalent status of a province, but is ruled by the lineage of the Mataram Sultanate for generations. The center of government is located in the Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace, which is located in the city center of Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta Special Region.
The Kraton (also spelled keraton or karaton) or the Palace of Yogyakarta serves as a residence for the sultan and his royal household, who continue to carry on the traditions of the sultanate with the help of hundreds of courtiers. After Yogyakarta was given the title of ‘Special Region’ in 1950, the palace was separated from government activities and only functions as the Javanese Customary Stakeholder Institution.
There are various customary rules that must be obeyed when in the palace environment. Moreover, there are also various unique and interesting facts of Keraton Yogyakarta, the King Palace.
1. Brief History
In those days, the palace served as a residence for the king and his relatives. However, now the function of the palace has changed to become a tourist destination, a museum of Javanese cultural center, even as the Sultan’s residence.
The beginning of the Yogyakarta Palace can be traced back to 1755, the result of the Giyanti Agreement. As the forerunner of settlements in the Yogyakarta region, Yogyakarta Palace left a history that can still be found today.
In addition, the palace area has been recognized as one of the cultural heritage areas in Yogyakarta, which includes the area inside the Baluwarti fort (Njeron Benteng), as well as some areas in Mantrijeron, Mergangsan, Gondomanan and Ngampilan.
Then, in 2017, a Governor Regulation was issued that combined the Malioboro cultural heritage area and inside the palace fortress (Baluwarti) into one area, namely the Palace Cultural Heritage Area, which stretches from Tugu Malioboro to Krapyak Stage.
2. Connected to Malioboro Tourist Attraction
Malioboro Street is thought to act as a philosophical axis that connects Tugu with the Yogyakarta Palace.
Symbolically, this philosophical line is manifested in nodes such as Panggung Krapyak-Kraton Yogyakarta-Tugu Golong Giling, which symbolizes the concept of ‘sangkan paraning dumadi’ or the origin and purpose of life’s existence.
The philosophy of the road from Panggung Krapyak to Keraton Yogyakarta illustrates the human journey from the womb, birth, adulthood, marriage, to having children (sangkaning dumadi).
While the philosophy of the road from Tugu Golong Giling to the south depicts the human journey when going to face the Creator (paraning dumadi), leaving the mortal world to the afterlife.
So overall, the architecture is Joglo style, open joglo without walls is called Bangsal, while joglo covered with walls is called Gedhong (building).

Credit: student-activity.binus.ac.id
3. Consists of three parts of the palace
The Yogyakarta palace consists of three parts consisting of the front complex of the palace, the core complex of the palace and the back complex of the palace. The front complex of the palace consists of Gladhak-Pangurakan (Main Gate), Alun-alun Ler and Gedhe Mosque.
Furthermore, for the core complex area in the Yogyakarta Palace, it is composed of seven series of courtyards ranging from North Square to South Square, namely Pagelaran and Sitihinggil Lor, Kamandungan Lor, Srimanganti, Kedhaton, Kemagangan, Kamandhungan Kidul, and Siti Hinggil Kidul.
While the rear complex of the palace consists of alun-alun kidul and plengkung nirbaya.
4. Cultural heritage
The culture of the Yogyakarta Palace is proof that Indonesia once used a sultanate as the center of its government. Although now the sultanate is no longer valid, all kinds of sultanate traditions and culture are still widely practiced in this palace.
Until now, the Yogyakarta Palace is still the residence of the Sultan and his Abdi Dalem. The sultan’s daily life is usually spent in this palace, and all habits are still the same as his predecessor.

Credit: tjokrostyle.com
5. Rich Javanese architecture
When viewed in terms of the buildings, thick Javanese architecture displays the distinctive features of Javanese culture. There are luxurious balairungs, spacious pavilions, doors with thick teak leaves and a dividing wall called Renteng or Baturono behind or in front of each gate.
Interestingly, the Yogyakarta Palace not only serves as the residence of the king and the museum of the Javanese cultural center, but also has socio-cultural and religious values in its establishment and use.
The palace became the center and mecca of Javanese cultural development, reflecting the important role of culture in the history and life of the people.