Sultan's Palace

Yogyakarta's Sultan Palace

Indonesia has a very complicated parliamentary system. However, one of the cool things about Indonesia is that they have their own King and Queen. (mostly for the older provinces.) Most don’t have a political role anymore, however, they lineage continues to harbour the traditions and customs of the particular province.

In Yogyakarta when the King and Queen (Sultan and Sultana) used to reign they had this awesome palace in the middle of the city where they were able oversee the rest of the city. Though they no longer reside in that palace, it is still preserved for tourists to see.

The city is has overgrown most of the palace and its surroundings. However, you can still see the old architecture slowly becoming part of the houses and food stalls. Some of the old structures were too dangerous to go inside and see because you don’t know when they might collapse. But when my tour guide took me that spot, there were a lot kids using the abandoned space to hang out and play.

This is called the Water Castle. There are three pools: one of the Sultan, Sultana and their children

You'd think its a prop, but actually its the Sultan's bed. I am assuming they took the mattress away because it would be rough sleeping on this bed.

An underground mosque built specifically for the Sultan and his family. 

Some of the old buildings surrounded by houses. This area is like an outdoor stage where performances and exhibitions take place. But when I went to visit it was empty. 

A marketplace with fruits, vegetables, meat and everything else in between.

Those black things aren't raisins. They are flies taking a leisurely rest on the chicken, while helping the chicken to taste better.  

These are typical Javanese instruments. Regardless of their age they are played everyday at noon by musicians. 

Traditional Javanese clothes for men.

Every day around lunchtime the following women bring incense to the palace . They are also wearing traditional Javanese attire called Kabaya.