Sugeng Rawuh!

At the Yogyakarta Pavilion in TMII, visitors are welcomed like sultans, greeted by two guardian statues known as Gupolo, who stand watch as you make your way toward the traditional Mataram house.

At the front, there is the Kuncungan, a designated space where royal guests once disembarked from horse-drawn royal carriages. Further in, the grand Pendhapa, called Bangsal Kencono, serves as the reception hall and stage for traditional performances. Uniquely, this pendhapa is built without walls and supported by four main pillars known as Soko Guru, along with additional supporting pillars, all intricately carved with motifs inspired by Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic traditions.

At the center lies the Pringgitan, a name derived from Ringit, meaning shadow puppetry. This space is used for wayang kulit (shadow puppet) performances and features a room called Longkangan, where dancers practice their art. The innermost part of the house is called Dalem Ageng, also referred to as Bangsal Proboyekso.

DID YOU KNOW?

Yogyakarta’s philosophical axis is an imaginary line that stretches from Mount Merapi to Parangkusumo Beach. This line is believed to symbolize the journey of human life, from the first breath to the final moment of death. Along this axis, one also finds historical landmarks such as Panggung Krapyak, the Yogyakarta Monument (Tugu), and the royal palace (keraton).