Mataram Kingdom Ruins: Central Java, Indonesia

By Wombat | May 19th, 2006 | 2 Comments »

Kotagede, which is often called Sargede, is located more or less five kilometers South West of Yogyakarta. In this town, tourists can visit Kings of Mataram, likes Sutowijoyo or Ngabei Loring Pasar, Mataram Kingdom establisher who was then known as Panembahan Senopati.

There is also a unique tomb of Ki Ageng Mangir, who was Panembahan Senopati’s son in law and also enemy. His body was buried outside the complex. A hundred meters of the tomb, there is a stone, which is called ‘Watu Gilang’. This stone was ever used by Panembahan Senopati to hit Ki Ageng Mangir head until he died. For visitors who want enter to the tomb, they must wear Javanese traditional dress, which can be hired at this place. King’s cemetery in Kotagede is opened every Monday from 10.00 to 12.00 a.m. and Friday.

There is beautiful gate, fishpond which is full with Clarius Melanodermas and hundreds years old yellow turtle, people believe that the turtle is sacred and miraculous turtle. The cemetery complex is located inside wall fence area made of white stone and brick. The cemetery complex is divided into 3 parts those are mosque, tomb and water resource. That mosque is located on the East, tomb on the West, and water resource on the Northwest. The three of part is bounded by wall fence and connected with gate.

At the first yard, there is ancient inscription that says: Kanjeng Panembahan Senopati, Bertahta Kerajaan Mataram, Tahun Djinawal : 1509 Tahun Masehi: 1579, Kubur Kotagede. Besides, there is also a building, which is called Bangsal Duda. The second yard, at this yard there are 4 buildings. Those are building, which are located at angle of Southeast, Northeast, Northwest and Northeast.

Third yard, there is main building comprises of 3 buildings, which is called Bangsal (room) Prabayaksa, Bangsal Witana and Bangsal Tajug. Bangsal Prabayaksa is a building, which is made of wall. Inside this room, there are 72 tombs made of white marble. Those are tomb of Panembahan Senopati, Sultan Sedo Krapyak, Sultan Sepuh, Pangeran adipati Pakualam I, Ki Ageng Mangir, PA II, PA III, and PA IV. Special for Ki Ageng Mangir’s tomb, part of his body is inside the complex and other is outside the complex. Bangsal Witana, inside this room, there are 4 marble tombs, those are tomb of Ki Ageng Pemanahan and Ki Ageng Juru Mertani. Bangsal Tajug, inside this building, there are 3 tombs those are tomb of Nyai Ageng Nis, Pangeran Jayaprana and Datuk Palembang.

Besides that main building there is other tomb building with smaller measurement which is located on West of main building. The building contains Prince Pakualam I generation tombs. It is located on Jagalan village, Banguntapan district, Bantul regency. It is exactly located on South of Kotagede market.

Source: Bantulbiz