Kotagede, Silver crafting district in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Kotagede is a silver crafting district in Yogyakarta where narrow streets are lined with small workshops. Artisans here create jewelry and decorative pieces using traditional metalworking techniques passed down through many generations.
This district served as the first capital of the Mataram Kingdom in the late 16th century, marked by royal structures and defensive walls. When power shifted elsewhere, the area transformed into a center for silver crafting, a role it continues today.
Silver crafting here is passed down through families, and you can watch artisans work in small workshops scattered throughout the streets. This skill defines the neighborhood and its relationship with visitors and the wider community.
Visiting in the morning gives you the best chance to see craftspeople at work in their shops. The district is easy to explore on foot, with workshops scattered throughout that open directly onto the streets.
The royal cemetery contains the tomb of Ki Ageng Mangir, built straddling the boundary between the sacred burial ground and the world outside it. This unusual placement reflects his special role in the area's past.
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