Ullen Sentalu Museum, Javanese culture museum in Kaliurang highland, Indonesia
Ullen Sentalu Museum is a private Javanese culture and art museum on Jl. Boyong–Kaliurang KM 25 in Harjobinangun, Pakem, Sleman, Yogyakarta, at the foot of Mount Merapi. Its buildings sit behind trees and vines, with a light lower wall pierced by an opening and a band of dark-framed windows above. Inside, guided tours pass displays of batik, paintings and statues of Mataram nobles.
The museum was founded by the Haryono family and opened in 1997 under royal patronage from Yogyakarta. It preserves artifacts and records from the Mataram kingdoms and the royal courts that shaped the region's heritage.
The name Ullen Sentalu is an acronym of the Javanese phrase "Ulating Blencong Sejatining Tataraning Lumaku", meaning the flame of the blencong lamp as a guide for mankind in walking through life. The blencong is the oil lamp used in wayang kulit shadow-puppet performances. Guided tours present batik patterns and their meanings, and the Esther Huis displays kebaya, batik and Indies antiques blending Javanese, Dutch and Chinese elements.
The site sits at a higher elevation with cooler temperatures, so bring a light layer or sweater for your visit. The pathways wind through the hillside grounds and are walkable, though sturdy shoes work best on the uneven terrain.
The museum's name shortens the Javanese phrase "Ulating Blencong Sejatining Tataraning Lumaku", the flame of the blencong oil lamp that lights the way in shadow-puppet shows. The lamp's moving light is read as a guide for human conduct. The stone relief panel mounted at the entrance shows a seated figure in a pavilion, lions, elephant heads and scrolling foliage.
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