Kraton of Surakarta, Royal palace in Surakarta City, Indonesia
Kraton Kasunanan is a royal palace in Surakarta, Indonesia, spreading over 157 hectares. The complex consists of several courtyards connected by high walls and decorated gates, plus pavilions with carved wooden columns and red and gold roof tiles.
Susuhunan Pakubuwana II founded this palace in 1743 after leaving his earlier residence in Kartasura because of the destruction from the Chinese War. Later rulers added new buildings and courtyards while keeping the original center structure intact.
Visitors can watch craftspeople restore batik textiles in one of the side pavilions, using natural dyes and wax techniques passed down through palace workshops. The royal family still lives in parts of the complex and holds ceremonies that follow centuries-old Javanese protocols.
Access is through the main gate on the north side of the complex, and visitors should wear comfortable shoes because the paths between courtyards can be long. Guided tours help with orientation in the large site and explain the function of the different areas.
A small tower in the western courtyard holds a European clock brought as a gift by a Dutch merchant in the 18th century. The mechanism still runs and chimes every hour with a bell sound that carries across the entire palace.
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