Monumen Jogja Kembali

1 March 1949, 06.00 a.m.Yogyakarta City Center
The sound of serene signaling break time sounded from the Dutch defense post. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Suharto, Commander of Brigade 10 of Wehrkreise III area, an attack to the Dutch defense was started after getting an agreement from Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX as initiator of the attack. The Dutch troop that since the Dutch Military Aggression II in December 1948 was distributed to small posts was separated and weakened. During six hours, Indonesian National Army succeeded in occupying Yogyakarta, after hitting the Dutch troop. Right at 12.00 in the afternoon, as it was planned, all Indonesian army drew back from the city center when the Dutch support came; total loose at the Dutch side.
Indonesia Had Been Independent
This battle known as Serangan Umum 1 Maret was initial authentication to the international world that Indonesian National Army still had power to fight and to state that the Republic of Indonesia still existed. This was triggered by the capture and the exile of Bung Karno and Bung Hatta to Sumatera setting propaganda that the Republic of Indonesia had not existed.
This news about the six-hour attack was then sent to Wonosari, continued to Bukit Tinggi, then Burma, New Delhi (India), and finally in the main office of the UN in New York. With this news, the United Nations that considered Indonesia to have been independent compelled the execution of KTN (Komisi Tiga Negara / Commission of Three Nations). The meeting held in Des Indes Hotel Jakarta on 14 April 1949, where Indonesia was represented by Moh. Roem and representatives of Netherlands led by Van Royen, resulted in an agreement signed on 7 May 1949. This agreement was later called Roem Royen Statement. In this agreement Netherlands was compelled to withdraw its troop from Indonesia, and to return President and the Vice President, Soekarno-Hatta to Jogja. Finally on 27 December 1949 Netherlands officially handed over the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia.
Implied and Explicit Meaning of History Hallmark
In order to commemorate the struggle history of the nation, Yogya Kembali monument was built on 29 June 1985. The placement of the first stone of the 31.8 meter-high monument was done by HB IX after planting buffalo head as traditional ceremony. Four years later, on 6 July 1989, this building was finished. The opening was done by President Soeharto by signing the inscription.
The monument that is located in Jongkang village, Sariharjo Sub-District, Ngaglik District of Sleman Regency is of a mountain shape, symbolizing fertility and preservation of pre-historical ancestor's culture. The location of the monument was based on local culture that is located on imaginary axis connecting Merapi, Tugu, Sultan Palace, Panggung Krapyak, and Parang Tritis. "Macrocosmic Axis or the Great Axis of Life", as Gunadi told YogYES. The imaginary point in the building standing on 5.6 hectare land can be seen on the third floor where the flag pole is standing.
The name Yogya Kembali that means Yogya Returns symbolizes the return of the function of Indonesian Republic Government and historical hallmark of the Dutch troop withdrawal from Yogyakarta as the capital on 29 June 1949 and the return of President Soekarno, Vice President Mohammad Hatta and other officers on 6 July 1949 to Yogyakarta.
From Aircraft Replica to Quiet Room
Entering the monument area that is located about three kilometers north of Jogja city center visitors will be welcomed by replica of Cureng Aircraft close to the east gate and replica of Guntai Aircraft close to the west entrance. Stepping up the podium at west and east sides, visitors can see two wheeled-machine guns complete with the seats, before stepping down to the open space in front of the foot of the monument mountain. At the south end of the yard stands a wall containing 420 names of the strugglers who died between 19 December 1948 and 29 June 1949 and the poem entitled Karawang Bekasi by Chairil Anwar that is intended for unknown patriots.
The monument is surrounded by fish pond that is divided by four alleys going to the main building. West and east alleys connect to the entrance of the first floor that consists of four rooms presenting at least 1,000 collections of the attack on 1 March, the struggle before the independence until Yogyakarta became the capital of Indonesia. Uniform of Student Military and the sedan chair used to carry the Great General Sudirman are kept there. There is also the main meeting room, which is located adjacent to room I. This rounded room of 25 meter diameter is a functional room that is rented for seminar of even feasts.
North and south alleys are connected to the stairs leading to the second floor at the outdoor wall that circles the building that is carved with 40 reliefs picturing the struggle of Indonesian nation from 17 August 1945 until 28 December 1949. Some historical events such as physical struggle and diplomacies since the proclamation of Indonesian independence, the return of the President and Vice President to Yogyakarta and the formation of People's Security Army are pictured in the relief. While in the building, there are 10 dioramas encircling the building and picturing situations when the Dutch troop attacked Maguwo on 19 December 1948, 1 March attack, Roem Royen Statement, and ceremony of Independence Day on 17 August 1949 in Gedung Agung Yogyakarta.
The uppermost floor is a round, quiet room with a flag pole with the red and white flag on it at the center of the room, and relief of a fist on the west wall symbolizing physical struggle and diplomacy struggle on the east wall. The Garbha Graha room functions as a place to say prayers for the heroes and remember their struggle.
By far, the history of the nation struggle is heard only from the history teachers at school, or from the story told by the grandfather to his children in law. Yogya Kembali monument gives clearer description of how the independence was achieved by looking at the dioramas, carved reliefs or collection of clothes and weapons used by the strugglers of the independence. One place that will satisfy your desires of knowledge about the road that Indonesian nation had to take to get its independence.

Monumen Yogya Kembali

Ring Road Utara, Yogyakarta

Phone: +62 274 868225.

Visiting Hours:

Tuesday to Sunday: 08.00 a.m. to 04.00 p.m.

Monday: closed

Entrance fee:

Adult: IDR 5,000;

Foreign Tourist: IDR 7,500

Group (more than 30 persons), reduced by 10%.

Kindergarten students: 50% reduction per person.

Ullen Sentalu Museum, Reflection of the Kingdom Ladies' Beauty

Many people say that ladies' beauty encompasses two spaces, inner and outer. Quite often, ladies emphasize only one of them; usually it is the outer beauty. What about kingdom ladies, can they show both of them?
Ullen Sentalu museum gives evidence that in addition to beautiful face, some kingdom ladies are capable of showing thought and works as symbols of their inner beauty. The museum that is located at the south foot of Merapi mountain contains photographs and paintings by the ladies from Yogyakarta, Surakarta, Mangkunegaran and Pakualaman Kingdoms.
Located in one of the beautiful corners of Kaliurang area, namely Kaswargan park meaning the heaven park on land encircled by park and forest, this museum was inaugurated by Sri Paku Alam VIII in 1997. Ullen Sentalu as the name of the museum stands for "Ulating Blencong Sejatine Tataning Lumaku" that means the real torch of life for human way of life. The museum was built with "in the field architectural" concept, without blueprint.
Entering this museum, you will be welcomed by cool weather and shady trees. A guide will greet and accompany you to explore the museum that consists of two main parts all of which were built labyrinth concept with the mountain stone as the raw material; they are Guwo Selo Giri that means the cave with stonewall and Kampung Kambang that means a kampong that is situated on water (pond).
In Guwo Selo Giri, you will see some paintings by Kingdom ladies who has pronounced character and works and photos of the center of Yogyakarta city in the early 20s. One of the prominent ladies whose works are exhibited here is Partini Djayadiningrat, the daughter of Mangkunegaran VII who wrote the novel of Ande-Ande Lumut that was published by Balai Pustaka. In the novel, she used the name of Antipurbani. There is also a painting of Retno Puoso with her hand-fan that she designed herself in combination with the clothes.
Going to Kampung Kambang, you will find some rooms; the first is Balai Sekar Kedaton that is dedicated to GRAj. Koes Sapariyam who is addressed as Tineke. This room contains photographs and her poems that were written in 1939-1947. One of her poems told about the center of happiness that is when human beings are able to share love to the surroundings, even the sinful ones.
The next room is named Paes Ageng Yogyakarta, containing batik cloths for wedding. Some patterns area Sido Mukti, Sido Asih, Sido Drajat and other motifs with "Sido" as the first name that are worn by the couples in the hope for happy life. Truntum, Wirasat Truntum and Wirasat are the motifs worn by the parents of the married couple in order for giving guidance and advice.
Vorstendlanden Batik room or Batik Jogja Solo room that you will find next contains some batik collections as specialties of Yogyakarta and Solo. One of the legendary motifs is the star motif made by one of the consorts of Surakarta King. The motif was made because every night the consort saw falling stars while being alone because the King had been with the concubine. The motif of this batik was capable of returning the King's attention to the consort.
In the room of Batik Pesisiran or batik that developed in the coastal areas such as Cirebon and Indramayu, you will see some unique batik motifs and embroidered kebaya cloth. The batik motifs in this room are richer in colors but they are lack of philosophy; they are different from the batiks of Jogja-Solo of which colors tend to be monotonous but are rich of philosophy. Meanwhile, embroidered kebaya is unique because it was made by manual machine but the quality is incomparable.
Putri Dambaan room as the end of the exploration will give you description of Nurul Kusumawardani character, a lady of the Kingdom whose hobbies were horse riding, tennis and swimming. The lady who was proposed by the past President Soekarno and the late Hamengkubuwono IX was one of the prominent ladies in the Kingdom because she was good at dancing and refused polygamy. One of the photos features her dancing in Netherlands while accompanied by gamelan played in Surakarta Kingdom and was broadcasted live in a radio in Netherlands.
After walking around the museum, you will enjoy a cup of Kusmayana Drink, special beverage recipe by Lady Kusmayana that is believed to give you long life that is made from ginger, cinnamon, palm sugar, a little salt and pandanus leaf. You can enjoy it while entering the art shop that sells various souvenirs all of which with batik motif, from mask, clothes, t-shirt and wooden batik jewelries. You can also walk around the garden that is located in the museum complex.
The package of enjoying the museum is sold at IDR 10,000 for students, IDR 20,000 for public and IDR 36,000 for foreign tourists.

Ullen Sentalu Museum

Jl. Boyong Kaliurang, Sleman Yogyakarta

Phone: +62 274 895161, +62 274 880158

Fax: +62 274 881743

Visiting hours:

Tuesday to Sunday

Open : 09.00 a.m. to 15.30 p.m.

Monday: closed

Entrance Fee: Adult IDR 20,000

Foreigner IDR 36,000

Student IDR 10,000

Tugu Jogja, the Most Popular Landmark in Yogyakarta

Tugu Jogja is the most popular landmark of Yogyakarta. This monument is located right in the center of the crossroad between the Mangkubumi, Soedirman, A.M. Sangaji and Diponegoro roads. The Tugu Jogja that is almost 3 centuries old has a very deep meaning and it keeps some history records of Yogyakarta.
Tugu Jogja was built around one year after the construction of Yogyakarta Kingdom. At the early time of its construction, it clearly described the philosophy of the unity of God's creatures that means the spirit of togetherness of lay people and authorities to fight colonials. In Javanese term, the spirit of togetherness is called golong gilig that is clearly described in the construction of the monument: the pole is of gilig (cylinder) form and the top part is golong (rounded). This monument was known as Tugu Golong-Gilig.
In details, the monument was originally constructed in the form of a cylindrical pole with conical form upwards. The base is an encircling fence while the top is rounded. The preliminary height of the monument was 25 meters.
Everything changed when on Monday, 10 June 1867, a big earthquake in Yogyakarta ruined the monument. The collapse of the monument was the transition time when the unity was not really reflected on the monument.
The situation changed totally when in 1889 the Dutch government renovated the monument. The monument was constructed as a square with each side being decorated with a kind of inscription containing the names of people who were involved in the renovation. The top portion is no longer rounded but a pointed cone. The height of the monument is also lower, namely 15 meters. Since then, this monument was also called as De Witt Paal or Tugu Pal Putih (white pole monument).
The renovation of the monument was actually the tactic used by the Dutch colonial to erase the philosophy of togetherness between lay people and the king. Learning from the result of the struggle afterwards, however, the effort did not seem to be successful.
If we want to look at the monument satisfactorily while remembering its philosophical meaning, there are benches facing the monument on the corner of Mangkubumi Street. At 05:00 a.m. - 06:00 a.m. is the right time since the air is still fresh and not much passerby yet. Occasionally, the newspaper boy will greet us politely while riding his bicycle to go to the distribution office of the biggest local newspaper, the Kedaulatan Rakyat.
In the evening, we find the seller of gudeg (traditional menu cooked from young jackfruit) at the corner of Diponegoro Road. The gudeg sold here is delicious at reasonable price. You may have it in crossed-legs seating arrangement while looking at the view of the Tugu Jogja that is bathed with lights.
Being so identical of the Tugu Jogja to Yogyakarta makes many university students from outside of Yogyakarta to express their happiness after the graduation day by hugging and kissing the Tugu Jogja. That may also express their love to Yogyakarta that they will about to leave soon and at the same time say their promise to return to this city.

Sonobudoyo Museum, Admiring the Keris Collection

Visiting Sonobudoyo Museum is an alternative to see keris and other related items to it from all parts of Indonesia. The museum that keeps around 1,200 keris (most of them were donated by Java Institute) will satisfy your curiosity about keris since the Kingdom of Yogkarta that keeps sacred keris does not allow public to see its keris collection.
Sonobudoyo Museum is within easy reach from Yogyakarta Kingdom; it is located across the North Square of Yogyakarta. To get into it, you only have to pay the entrance ticket as much as IDR 3,000. Meanwhile, in order to see various kinds of keris, you have to go through quite long procedures because you have to get permission from the museum chief officer. This is because many of the keris collection are still kept in the collection room; they are not shown to public.
The first thing you will see that is related to keris is wesi budha (Buddha Iron); it is the main material to make keris that was used in around the year 700s AD, or during the triumphant of Hindu Mataram Kingdom. Wesi Budha can be seen in the middle room that also keeps some collections of the triumphant of Buddhism civilization in Indonesia. In addition to the wesi budha, there are various household furnishings, weapons and handicrafts of the same period.
Entering further, you can see some keris, even though the number is relatively small. Some of the exposed keris are straight keris, keris with 7 curves, 11 curves and 13 curves. Most of the keris displayed in this room are those from Jave. In addition to the keris, batik cloths with different patterns are kept there.
Another room behind the library of the museum, displays more types of keris. The museum attendant explained to YogYES that the room keeps various kinds of keris from all parts of Indonesia and it keeps collection of accessories such as pendok of Yogyakarta and Solo and the keris blade . More collection originates from outside of Yogyakarta since there was prohibition to collect keris with the quantity exceeding those of the collection of Yogyakarta Kingdom.
The Javanese keris kept in the museum are those with 7, 11, 13 curves or called luk and straight keris with various pamor (pattern), such as beras wutah / the spoiled rice (pamor that was accidentally resulted from the forging process, in the form of connectiong circles), sekar pakis (in the form of the fins flower) and so on. The keris from outside of Java that are kept there are, among others: the unique rencong Aceh, mandau from Kalimantan, keris from Madura and Bali, and keris from Sulawesi or Celebes.
In that collection room, you can also see many old keris handles with interesting designs. There are keris handles in the forms of human head, human full posture, dragon, lion, and so on. There are hundreds of pendok that are classified into two categories, namely Yogyakarta and Solo styles. Different from the keris handles with various designs, the shapes of pendok are relatively the same.
Thousands of the keris collection pay the difficulty to get in this collectio room. The museum attendant explained to YogYES that all the keris in the collection room will be displayed in an exhibition room that will be constructed in the future. You may hope that at your visit in the future time, you can see all of the collections without sophisticated permit.

Sonobudoyo Museum

Jl. Trikora No. 6 Yogyakarta

Phone: +62 274 418330

Tuesday - Thursday

Visiting hours: 07.00 a.m. to 14.30 p.m.

Friday

Visiting hours: 07.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m.

Saturday - Sunday

Visiting hours: 07.30 a.m. to 13.00 p.m.

Entrance Fee: IDR 3,000

Museum Sasmitaloka

"My sons, Indonesian soldiers, you are not soldiers of fortune, but the ones with ideology, who are willing to struggle and to face danger for the glory of your country. Trust it and believe it, that the independence of a nation that is built upon a pile of ruins of thousands of souls and wealth of its people and nation, will never be able to be destroyed by anyone, no body!" (General Sudirman)
The Life of the Guru
Bantarbarang village of Rembang Sub-District, Purbalingga Regency, Banyumas Residence witnessed the birth of little baby on Monday, 24 January 1916. His cries initiated the birth of a great character in the revolution of Indonesia. His father, Karsid Kartawiraji and Siyem, his mother, who gave birth to their children named him Sudirman. His step father, Raden Cokro Sunaryo, added 'Raden' in front of the name Sudirman.
After his formal education in Taman Siswa, he continued his study to HIK Muhammadiyah Solo. In 1934, Raden Sudirman who was active in Islamic Boy Scout Organization, Hizbul Wathon, became a headmaster in Muhammadiyah elementary school in Cilacap. Being a headmaster, he was open, was willing to listen to others' opinion and always gave solution to problems existing among teachers. Apart from being a headmaster, he also taught in Muhammadiyah Junior High School in Cilacap.
The Road to Become a General
Military career of Pak Dirman (his familiar address during the guerilla) started when he joined a training of PETA (Pembela Tanah Air / Country Defender) soldier officers in Bogor. After the training, he was then appointed a Daidancho (Commander of Daidan, equals to a battalion) in Banyumas.
Several months after the proclamation of Indonesian independence on 17 August 1945, Japanese troop was compelled by the Allied Forces to hand over the weapons to Indonesian soldiers. The unwillingness of Japan to hand over the country inventory caused them to shoot each other and took many victims from both sides. However, it did not happen in Banyumas. Thanks to the wisdom of Mr. Dirman (he was appointed the Commander of Division V/Banyumas with his title as a Major) in the meeting, there is no bloodshed in the process of weapons hand over. Due to his services and achievement, Pak Dirman who was tenacious, soft in speaking and fatherly in protecting his subordinates, was appointed as Commander of TKR (Tentara Keamanan Rakyat / People's Security Army) on 12 November 1945 and was inaugurated on 18 December 1945 by the President.
Pak Dirman was only 29 years old by that time but he was capable of being a leader who took quick decision with direct, firm follow up. He succeeded in incorporating various forces into Indonesian army, so that on 3 June 1947 he retained his General rank after TKR changed into TRI before finally it became APRI.
The road that General Sudirman took to sit in the highest position in APRI on 3 June 1947 was going through wars; from the independence war against Japan to pushing back the Allied Forces from Ambarawa (Palagan Ambarawa) to Semarang on 15 December 1945. After his position as a general, he did not just do nothing. He was carried on a sedan chair when he was ill while leading guerilla war against the Dutch troop. He set tactics for Military Aggression I and Military Aggression II at different places. This marathon travel as far as 1,000 kilometers for six months ended with the signing of Roem Royen Agreement. The Great Commander finally returned to Yogyakarta on 10 July 1949.
The History of the Guru's Home
The house located on Jalan Bintaran Wetan No.3 Yogyakarta is the house where General Sudirman used to live and it now becomes Sasmitaloka museum of the Great Commander General Sudirman. Sasmitaloka in Javanese language means the place to remember, to commemorate. This museum is the place to commemorate services and sacrifices of General Sudirman.
This building that was constructed during the Dutch Indian government in 1890 has very long history. At the early time of its foundation, this historical building was meant for a finance officer of Paku Alam VII castle, Mr Winschenk. During Japanese colony this building was vacant and the goods were confiscated. In the independence time of the Republic of Indonesia, this building was used as the camp for Tukul Company of Suharto Battalion. Since 18 December 1945 until 19 December 1948 this became official residence of General Sudirman when he became the Highest Commander of TKR. Then, during the Dutch Aggression II it was used by the Dutch colony as the Camp of IVG T Brigade and after the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia on 17 December 1949, was used as the office of Yogyakarta Military Command, then dormitory for XII Infantry Regiment and invalid people respectively. On 17 June 1968 it was used as Infantry Central Museum until it was inaugurated as the Museum of Sasmitaloka General Sudirman on 30 August 1982.
Exploring Sasmitaloka
Entering Sasmitaloka museum from the north gate, visitors will see the inscription of the Great General Sudirman. In the front yard of the main building there is a monument of the Great General Sudirman. The monument is in the shape of a statue of Pak Dirman who is riding the horse with the writing on four sides as described earlier. On the northern part of the monument there is a machine gun and cannon on its southern side.
The main building has three doors in the front part and one door connecting to the hall at the back part. The main building consists of six rooms connecting one to each other. The front part is guest room. In the room where General Sudirman welcome his official guests there are six chairs and one table, one set each in the north part and the southern part. In between those two rooms there is a medal given to General Sudirman. At the back of the room, there is a living room that is located at the center of the main building that also functions as the room for guest room of General Sudirman family. In the living room there are two sets of chair and an old radio owned by General Sudirman. In the north part of the living room, visitors may enter the working room that is located in the west part connecting to the sleeping room in the east. In the working room, there are confiscated weapons and the weapons that General Sudirman used. In this room, YogYES stops a while to read the writing written by Buya Hamka about General Sudirman. In the south of the living room there is a General Sudirman's sleeping room that is adjacent to his daughters' sleeping room in the west. The hall that functions as dining room as well as the play ground where he plays and chats with his daughters is located to the east of the living room. The main building is arranged similarly to the condition when General Sudirman and his family were living there.
In the north wing of the main building there is a building with three rooms. The front room is secretarial room to keep chairs and table used by Lieutenant Colonel Sudirman when he was promoted to be the Highest Commander of TKR. Secretarial room is connected with Palagan Ambarawa room in the eastern part. In this room, there are weapons confiscated from Japanese soldiers that were used to fight against the Allied Forces in Palagan Ambarawa, and English weapons that were taken away in the war, and diorama of Palagan Ambarawa war. In the east of the room there is Panti Rapih room. There is a diorama in this room describing the room where General Sudirman was hospitalized in Panti Rapih hospital. There are also some equipments utilized during his treatment.
After seeing Panti Rapih room, visitors can see Sobo and Pacitan rooms, which are located at the eastern part of the building at the south wing of the main building. In this room there are simple weapons that they use during their guerrilla. The unity of the army and citizens was realized in their willingness to give their belongings to retain Indonesian independence. Adjacent to this room, at the west part, there is a diorama room of the guerilla. There are three dioramas picturing the commencement of the guerilla and the difficult struggle that they had to undergo to coordinate with the troops in local areas. There is also the sedan chair on which General Sudirman was carried during the guerilla. Next to it is the clothing room. One of the clothes collections that was always worn by General Sudirman is the wool mantel. In between diorama room and clothing room there is an alley on which wall hang some letters written by General Sudirman. Photographs of what General Sudirman did before guerilla until his demise and two sets of Pak Dirman's official clothes can be seen in photo and documentation room that is located at the west part of the building.
The Great Hero is Gone
17 August 1949 was a special day when the Independence Day was celebrated in Gedung Agung Yogyakarta after the return of Soekarno-Hatta from Bangka on 6 July 1949 and General Sudirman from his guerilla on 10 July 1949.
Based on the Round Table Conference on 27 December in Den Haag, Netherlands officially handed over the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia. Unfortunately, the Great General Sudirman could not see further result of his struggle. Tuberculosis virus gnawing his lungs after going in and out of forests for months finally defeated him. On 29 January 1950, the Great General died in a place provided for retired soldiers in Badakan, Magelang. He was then buried in the funeral for the patriots in Semaki, Yogyakarta.
The Great Commander is also a common human being. He has home and family to protect. Through this visualization, the museum tells more about the life of General Sudirman as a husband and father, and the highest leader in military. A general that never surrendered to colonies, even to the illness he suffered. Entering the museum seems like entering channel of time when the Great General Sudirman spent his days as a Leader.

The Great Commander General Sudirman Sasmitaloka Museum

Jl. Bintaran Wetan No. 3 Yogyakarta

Phone: +62 274 376663

Visiting hours:Monday to Tuesday: 08.00 a.m to 02.00 p.m.

Saturday to Sunday: 08.00 a.m to 12.00 a.m.

Friday: closed

Entrance Fee: voluntary

Museum Sasana Wiratama

20 July 1825 The Castle in Tegal Rejo where Pangeran Diponegoro lived

Outside the fort there were three-time gun explosions; the war started. North, east and south sides were besieged by Dutch troop. Paramilitary troop at the west side fought hard. Lead by Joyomustopo and Joyoprawiro, the paramilitary troop was pushed back. The force was far different. A man in white robe and white turban on his head calmly and wisely chose to break down the west wall of the castle. With several hits the wall was broken down. A command was given to save the family and the remaining paramilitary troop. With his entire troop, the man in white robe chose to go away to the west. It was such a difficult decision made to save his family and troop.
Kanjeng Pangeran Diponegoro (Prince Diponegoro)
He was born in the Kingdom of Yogyakarta on 11 November 1785; his nickname was Bendoro Raden Mas Ontowiryo and later was called Kanjeng Pangeran Diponegoro as the oldest son of Raden Ayu Mangkorowati (the daughter of Pacitan Regent) the concubine of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono III (HB III).
Pangeran Diponegoro had stronger interest in religious life and equality with lay people, so that he preferred to live in Tegalrejo village.
Java War
During the reign of HB V (1822), Pangeran Diponegoro did not agree to the governance system held by Patih Danurejo and a Dutch officer. This rebellion culminated in 1825, after the Dutch made the road connecting Yogyakarta and Magelang passing through his house (now a railway). The Dutch colony that did not ask Pangeran Diponegoro for permission was fought by Pangeran and his troop. The Dutch that had a reason to seize Pangeran Diponegoro as a rebel; the Dutch troop surrounded his house on 20 July 1825. Being shoved, Pangeran and his family saved their lives to the west until Dekso village in Kulonprogo Regency and continued to the south reaching Selarong cave located five kilometers west of Bantul town.
The Dutch troop that did not succeed in capturing him fired Pangeran Diponegoro's house.
Selarong cave that is situated in Kentolan Lor village, Guwosari Pajangan of Bantul Regenc was the camp of Pangeran Diponegoro where he set guerrilla strategy against the Dutch colony. Pangeran lived in the west part of the cave, named Goa Kakung, functioning as his place for meditating. Raden Ayu Retnaningsih (his concubine who faithfully accompanied him after the demise of his earlier two wives) and his troop lived in Goa Putri in the eastern part.
The Diponegoro War that lasted until 1830 was called Java Oorlog (Java War) in history books written by the Dutch writers. In this war, the Dutch colony lost not less than 15,000 soldiers and spent more than 20 millions Gulden.
The History of Sasana Wiratama building
Located about 4 kilometers of Jogja city center, as wide as 2.5 hectares land that used to be managed by Tourism and Culture Department was handed by the heir of Pangeran Diponegoro, Raden Ayu Kanjangteng Diponegoro, to function as a monument after signing a transfer letter with Nyi Hadjar Dewantara and Kanjeng Raden Tumenggung Purejodiningrat. On the land that is now owned by Yogyakarta Kingdom, beginning from mid of 1968 until 19 August 1969, a monument was built on pringgitan building that adjoined with the pendopo at the center of the complex. The project was initiated by Major General Surono who was the Commander of the Military District and was inaugurated by President Suharto. This place was then named Sasana Wiratama that means the place for soldiers.
Pangeran Diponegoro monument is relief on 20 meters-long and 4 meters-high wall, telling the quiet and peaceful Tegalrejo village and the war of Pangeran Diponegoro opposing the Dutch colony until his capture in Magelang. This monument was carved by Drs. Saptoto of Indonesian Arts Academy assisted by Sutopo, Sokodiharjo and Askabul. On both sides of the monument, there were self portrait of Pangeran Diponegoro on the west side and the painting of Pangeran Diponegoro who was riding his black horse, ready to wage war, on the east side.
Passing through the main gate, turning to west side, the hall is surrounded by museum, the broken wall, dormitory and library. Additional buildings other than the hall including the gate were made between 1970 and 1973, led by Major General Widodo. The broken wall and Padasan, the place for Moslems to take clean water before praying, and Komboran, a stone container for Pangeran Diponegoro's horses to get water and food, at the south-east part of the hall are inheritances of Pangeran Diponegoro.
In front of the building situated on H.O.S Cokroaminoto Street in Tegalrejo village, there is a statue of Lieutenant General Urip Soemohardjo with the writing "Orde.Contre-Ordre.Desordre!" on the east side and a statue of General Sudirman with the writing "Jangan Lengah" meaning 'Don't be inattentive' on the west side. These statues represent the place where Indonesian people struggled for their independence. After passing through the gate, there is a two-meter high wall resembling the dome of a mosque with a picture of a giant opposing a dragon on the upper part of it. "The picture means Butho Mekso Basuki ning Bawono, Javanese old words or codes that are expressed in pictures," said Budiman to YogYES. The words are read backwards. The writing of 5281 means 1825 as the onset of Diponegoro war.
Historical Remains
There are 100 items as the collection of Diponegoro museum, consisting of some original goods of Diponegoro paramilitary troop ranging from war weapons, coins, precious stone and home furniture. Some examples of weapons are lance, kris, sword, arrow, bandil (iron hammer), patrem (a kind of weapon for women), and candrasa (a sharp weapon that looks like a chignon pin used by women spies). There are also some household tools made from brass in 1700s such as betel container and its kecohan (container in which someone spits after chewing betel), canting (an instrument used to make batik) holder, bringsing pot, and various forms of kacip (a tool to slice areca nut as an ingredient to chew betel).
There are two sacred weapons kept in this museum, namely a kris with 21 curves named Kyai Omyang, made by an empu (kris maker) who lived during Majapahit time and a sword originating from Demak Kingdom. Those two sacred weapons are believed to be able to prevent disasters.
There is also a small statue of Ganesha, the lace of the horses that pull a cart presented by HB VIII, a couple of Loro Blonyo statue and a pair of decorative lamp. There are some parts of the gamelan (Javanese music instrument) owned by HB II that was made in 1752in the forms of a percussion and wilahan bonang made of wood, copper and brass. There is also a cannon in the east of the hall.
In addition to the broken wall, padasan and komboran, other inheritances are kept in Magelang. There are Koran, Cup and Pot, Robe, four tables and one chair. In Satria Mandala museum in Jakarta there are horse saddle and a lance. One kris of Pangeran Diponegoro is still kept in Netherlands.
The Demise of a Great Struggler
After lasting for five years and suffering from big loss and promising 50,000 Gulden to whomever that can capture Pangeran Diponegoro, the Dutch colony still could not capture him.
- 16 February 1830, Colonel Cleerens came to Pangeran Diponegoro in Remo Kamal, Bagelen, Purworejo to invite him for a meeting in Magelang. Pangeran Diponegoro agreed to this idea.
- On 28 March 1830, with his troop, Pangeran Diponegoro saw General Governor Markus de Kock. In the meeting De Kock urged Pangeran Diponegoro to cease war. Pangeran Diponegoro refused it. The Dutch colony, via Colonel Du Perron, had prepared a careful attack. Pangeran Diponegoro and his troop were defeated. On the day, Pangeran Diponegoro was exiled to Ungaran and then he was brought to Residence Building in Semarang.
- 5 April 1830 he was sent to Batavia by Pollux ship.
- 11 April 1830 he was arrested in Stadhuis (now Fatahillah museum).
- 30 April 1830, General Governor Van den Bosch decided to send Pangeran Diponegoro, Retnaningsih, Tumenggung Diposono and his wife, and other followers such as Mertoleksono, Banteng Wereng and Nyai Sotaruno to Manado for an exile.
- 3 May 1830, Pangeran Diponegoro and the group were sent by Pollux ship and were arrested in Amsterdam Fort. The Dutch colony still considered him a threat since in this place he cans still communicate with community.
- In 1834 he was exiled separately. Pangeran Diponegoro and Retnaningsih were sent to Makassar, South Sulawesi and were arrested in Roterdam Fort under tight control.
- Pangeran Diponegoro could not move freely. He spent the days with Retnaningsih and finally he died on 8 January 1855. He was buried in Kampung Melayu, Makassar, side by side with his wife tomb.
After 151 years, Indonesian people still feel the lost of the great struggler. He had the struggle spirit without ever surrendering.
Commemorating a great struggler can be done in different ways. If you want to have a closer look at the spirit of Pangeran Diponegoro's struggle and experienced it yourself, the broken wall will tell you about it silently. You can only see such an extraordinary view of the wall that was broken only by the hits of Pangeran Diponegoro's in Sasana Wiratama.

Samudraraksa Ship Museum

Samudraraksa Ship Museum is located in the complex of Borobudur Temple. There lies Samudraraksa ship that was used to sail the ocean from Indonesia to Ghana.
This ship succeeds to make a history in Samudraraksa Ship Expedition when it sails to reroute the marine exploration in the eight century.
In this museum, you will see how strong the ship that is made traditionally. You will also see the items used during the voyage. For instance: cooking equipments, daily appliances, books, CDs and cassettes. Books are time killers for the voyagers. CDs and cassettes will console their heart and remedy their longing for their beloved ones. There are also medicines to keep their health.
SAMUDRARAKSA, from relief to Africa
- 8 November 1982 Philip Beale visited Borobudur temple and he admired the ship relief on the temple. He was inspired to "follow" the voyage route of Borobudur Ship.
- September 2002 Philip Beale contacted Nick Burningham to design Borobudur ship that is capable of sailing the ocean.
- 19 January 2003 Borobudur Ship is started to be made by As'ad Abdullah aged 69 years old in Pagerungan Kecil Island, Sumenep Regency, Madura by using traditional technology.
- May 2003 a selection of the ship crew member candidates was done.
- 25 May 2003 Borobudur Ship was launched to the sea.
- June 2003 Sailing Test from Pangerungan Kecil Island to Benoa (Bali), through Banyuwangi waters.
- 2 July 2003 Seminar on pre-launching of Borobudur Ship in Jakarta.
- 16 July 2003 Borobudur Ship is inaugurated by the Minister of Culture and Tourism I Gede Ardika, then followed by press conference.
- 22 July 2003 Borobudur Ship left Benoa for Ancol, Jakarta, through Surabaya, Karimunjawa, and Semarang.
- 15 August 2003 Borobudur Ship was named Samudraraksa that means "Sea Guard" and set for Madagaskar by President Megawati Sukarnoputri.
- 12 September 2003 the sailing reached Victoria harbor, Seychelles.
- 29 September 2003 Samudraraksa Ship left Seychelles for Madagaskar.
- 14 October 2004 Samudraraksa Ship reached Mahajanga, Madagaskar.
- 26 October 2003 Samudraraksa Ship left for Cape Town, South Africa.
- 16 November 2003 harbored at Richards Bay.
- 1 December 2003 harbored at Durban Harbor.
- 7 December 2003 harbored at Elizabeth Harbor.
- 5 January 2004 arrived in Cape Town, South Africa.
- 17 January 2004 left for Ghana.
- 3 February 2004 reached Jamestown Bay, ST.Helena.
- 23 February 2004 Samudraraksa arrived the final destination and harbored in Tema Harbor, Accra, Graha.
- 26 March 2004 the crew members of Samudraraksa Ship got Satya Lencana from President Megawati Sukarnoputri.
Finally, the strong ship that has sailed thousands kilometers and broke the ocean waves stays in this museum.
Samudraraksa Ship
Dimension of Samudraraksa Ship:
- Length 18.29 meters
- Width 4.50 meters
- Height 2.25 meters
This ship is divided into 3 parts, namely:
- Front (cabin for sleeping)
- Middle (dining room and navigation)
- Rear (driving room, kitchen)
During its sailing, the ship is equipped with:
- 2 upright sails
- 2 driver wheels
- Double leeboards
The speed of Samudraraksa is 3-10 knots Ship capacity:
- 16 people
- 1500 fresh water
- 900 kg rice
- 2 upright sails
- 1 ton of firewood
- 0.5 ton of food and ingredients
This ship is also equipped with safety facilities, namely:
- Global Positioning Satellite (to locate the ship position)
- NavTex (to receive weather information)
- EchoSounder (to detect water depth)
- Inmarsat Telephone Satellite (to communicate on the ocean)
- 2 Lift Rafts