Architecture of Kotagede

ARCHITECTURE

The old town also has many heritage buildings which have some antique Joglo of hundreds years old. Besides Joglo, Kota Gede is also popular with its Kalang houses, the uniqueness and very artistic property house to Kalang people. Kalang people are the people who in the past have been the expertise in carpentry and creative works that are often requested by the Sultan to do various things in the palace. Kalang people became rich, which enable them to build some classy mansions. Kalang houses grandeur can still be seen in the surrounding streets of Mondorakan, Kotagede. The remained of the Islamic architecture of this royal city can still be felt by us when we visit Kotagede.

The High walls with its narrow paths when we walking along the halls of Kotagede are spiritually an impressive journey. In complex area of Kotagede, remains the past of the King of Mataram, Panembahan Senopati, namely the graves of the relatives from king, padepokan, Sendang Selirang, Watu Watu Gilang and Gatheng. Sendang is divided into two, namely Sendang Kakung (male) and the Sendang Princess (female). The second Sendang has a different water source. Sendang Kakung springs from the springs just below the tombs which flowed through the channel holes. Many fish that live in this spring, including white catfish up to one meter of length. There are also grave sacred of turtle and named Kyai Rejah Duda. Meanwhile, Sendang Princess springs from sources under the banyan tree located on the front road to the tomb complex.

The Cemetery of King of Mataram in Kotagede complex was built in the area. Inside there are 81 tombs of kings and their nearby relatives. This Cemetery was opened to the public on certain days only, ie Monday and Thursday starting at 10:00 to 12:00 pm and on Fridays starting at 1:00 p.m. to 15:00 pm. The visitors who want to perform pilgrimage and tirakatan required to clean themselves first in the Sendang Selirang which was located on the south side of the grave. Not far from the Cemetary complex and Sendang, about 300 meters to the south, there are small buildings and storage of Watu Watu Gilang Gatheng. Black stone that looks like this seat is said to be trusted as dampar (seating) Panembahan Senopati. In addition, there are three stone yellow ball-shaped (Watu Gatheng). It seems, according to legend, this stone is a great tool for Ronggo permaianan Raden, the son of Panembahan Senopati.

Although the stone is look hard and solid, but Raden Ronggo could able to lift and used it to play as his game tool. This legend is also developed and later been as a myth, if we succeed in lifting the Watu Gatheng, what we desire or wish would be come true. Now, the area of Kotagede has developed into a tourist object and cultural history which is fascinating. In addition to studying the history of the Mataram kingdom, before the split into the Surakarta and Yogyakarta, in Kotagede we can also enjoy the architecture of the merchant houses of Arab descent, Java, and the Dutch who used to live there. Their homes are now widely used as a typical café and gallery. There was also a silver industry of Kotagede beautiful and seductive to our eyes. Kotagede indeed distorted the beauty of the old city.