The Palace Kasunanan and Mangkunegaran

Surakarta (Solo) is a city located in the basin slopes of Merapi Mountain, Lawu Mountain and with a height of about 92 meters above sea level. Surakarta is known as one of the core of Javanese culture that traditionally is one of the political center and the development of Javanese tradition. The prosperity of this region since the 19th century encouraged the development of various Java language literature, dance, culinary arts, fashion, architecture, and various other cultural expressions. People aware of any "competition" between Surakarta and Yogyakarta cultural, thus giving birth to what is known as "Surakarta style" and "Yogyakarta style" in the field of fashion, dance movement, art leather chisel (puppet), processing of batik, gamelan, and so on. In Surakarta palace there are two very interesting to visit, namely The Palace Kasunanan and Mangkunegaran. 

Kasunanan Palace

A journey tracing the time, from a long history of Javanese life and culture centered on Kasunanan Surakarta Palace. Kasunanan Surakarta Palace Museum is not just the album of memories and memorabilia of the kings, but it contains a whole string of changes describing each step until the civilization of the Kingdom of Mataram in Surakarta. Look deeper into, then footsteps will be invited to tread the history of the Palace of Surakarta Kasunanan from the early era of empire and the colonial period with a row of photographs of the rulers of Surakarta complete with throne chairs. Historic objects ranging from horse-drawn carriage, war equipment, cooking utensils, ceremonial equipment, and supplies the river cruise can be found here.

As one of the cultural center of Java, Surakarta Palace Kasunanan stay standing a monument to the glory of ancient Javanese culture charming touch of Europe. Kasunan Surakarta palace has stood since hundreds of years ago. The palace is the successor of the Islamic Mataram Kingdom. After changing the central government starting from Kotagede, Pleret until Kartasura, yellow rebellion by ethnic Chinese to move the force Mataram palace to the village of Solo. Internal conflict and interference in the Netherlands and then forced the kingdom broke into Kasunanan Surakarta and Yogyakarta Sultanate in 1755 through an agreement Giyanti.

Keraton (Palace) Surakarta is one of the buildings of the exotic in his day. One architect of this palace is Mangkubumi Prince (later the title of Sultan Hamengkubuwono I) which is also the main architect of the Palace of Yogyakarta. It is therefore not surprising that the basic pattern of spatial two palaces (the Yogyakarta and Surakarta) have many common similarities. Kasunanan Surakarta palace as can be witnessed today was not built simultaneously in 1744-45, but was built in stages by maintaining basic spatial patterns that remain the same as initially. Development and large-scale restoration carried out by His Majesty last Pakubuwono X (Sunan PB X) that reigned from 1893 to 1939. Much of this palace shades of white and blue with a mixture of Javanese-style architecture of Europe.

Mangkunegaran Palace

Mangkunegaran palace is where the arts and culture. Land belongs to the kingdom were filled with priceless treasures and a wonderful collection, mostly derived from Majapahit (1293 - 1478) and Mataram (1586 - 1755) the imperial, classical mask dance, puppet man (dance drama), clothing, leather and wooden wayang puppets, religious statues, jewelry and antiques and heirlooms that are incalculable value. The palace consists of two main parts, namely Hall (Hall of the Palace, a place to receive guests) and Dalem (Main Hall) which is surrounded by the King family residence. The eastern part, called the Bale Peni, used for the residence of the son / prince. The western part is called Bale Warni, used for the residence of princess - princess. Inside the palace is very beautiful places there are also libraries Reksopustoko, where the manuscripts are rarely obtained, religious and philosophical writings were written in the style of Java.

Mangkunegaran palace was built after the year 1757 by following the model of a smaller palace. In the architecture of this building has features in common with the palace, on Pamedan, Pavilion, Pringgitan, Dalem, and Kaputran, which is entirely surrounded by solid walls. Mangkunegaran pavilion, can accommodate five to ten thousand people, for years considered the largest hall in Indonesia. Wooden poles that support the roof-shaped square Joglo. The entire building was built without using nails. In this hall there are four sets of Gamelan, one in use on a regular basis and the other three are used only at a special ceremony.

Yellow and green colors dominate the pavilion is Pari Anom (young rice) Mangkunegaran distinctive color family. Ornate ceiling light-colored marquee astrology symbolizes Hindu-Javanese and the ceiling is hung a row of antique chandelier. At first people were present in the pavilion sat cross-legged on the floor. The new chair was introduced at the end of the 19th century when the government Mangkunagara VI.