Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat

Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat is the Sultan's palace in the city of Yogyakarta on the island of Java and still serves as the official residence of the ruling family. The compound consists of several buildings with carved wooden pillars, golden ornaments, and open pavilions arranged around rectangular courtyards.

The palace arose after the division of the powerful Mataram Kingdom into two separate sultanates through Dutch mediation. The first buildings were erected within months on empty ground south of the Code River and formed the center of the new capital.

The name combines the Sanskrit word for fortress with the city's ancient name and the Javanese term for splendor. Court servants in batik uniforms guide visitors through the halls while musicians rehearse classical compositions for the Sultan each morning.

The residence sits in the heart of the old city and can be reached on foot from most hotels. Certain areas remain closed to the public as the Sultan's family continues to inhabit parts of the compound and use them for ceremonies.

The main axis of the palace runs in a straight line from Mount Merapi volcano in the north to the Indian Ocean in the south, symbolizing the connection between mountain, ruler, and sea. On certain days you can watch staff sprinkle sand across the courtyard floors to prepare them for traditional rituals.