Yogyakarta Special Region (Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, DIY) is officially one of Indonesia's 32 provinces. Yogyakarta is one of the foremost cultural centers of Java. This region is located at the foot of the active Merapi volcano, Yogyakarta was in the 16th and 17th centuries the seat of the mighty Javanese empire of Mataram from which present day Yogyakarta has the best inherited of traditions. The city itself has a special charm, which seldom fails to captivate the visitor.
This province is one of the most densely populated areas of
Indonesia. The city came into being in 1755, after the Mataram division
into the Sultanates of Yogyakarta and Surakarta (Solo). Gamelan,
classical and contemporary Javanese dances, wayang kulit (leather
puppet), theater and other expressions of traditional art will keep the
visitor spellbound. Local craftsmen excel in arts such batiks, silver
and leather works. Next to the traditional, contemporary art has found
fertile soil in Yogya's culture oriented society. ASRI, the Academy of
Fine Arts is the center of arts and Yogyakarta itself has given its name
to an important school of modern painting in Indonesia, perhaps best
personified by the famed Indonesian impressionist, the late Affandi.
Yogyakarta is often called the main gateway to the Central Java
as where it is geographically located. It stretches from Mount Merapi to
the Indian Ocean. There is daily air service to Yogya from Jakarta,
Surabaya and Bali as well as regular train service and easy
accessibility by road. Yogyakarta is commonly considered as the modern
cultural of Central Java. Although some may prefer Solo as a good runner
up, Yogyakarta remains the clear front-runner for traditional dance,
Wayang (traditional puppetry) and music.
Yogyakarta has more than just culture though. It is a very
lively city and a shopper's delight. The main road, Malioboro Street, is
always crowded and famous for its night street food-culture and street
vendors. Many tourist shops and cheap hotels are concentrated along this
street or in the adjoining tourist area such Sosrowijayan Street.
The key attraction of Yogyakarta is 'Kraton' (the Sultan's
Palace). The Sultan's palace is the centre of Yogya's traditional life
and despite the advance of modernity; it still emanates the spirit of
refinement, which has been the hallmark of Yogya's art for centuries.
This vast complex of decaying buildings was built in the 18th century,
and is actually a walled city within the city with luxurious pavilions
and in which the current Sultan still resides. Yogyakarta is also the
only major city, which still has traditional 'Becak' (rickshaw-style)
transport.
[Courtesy of Indonesia Tourism]
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