Panggung Krapyak Stronghold

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A. Overview

Hundreds of years ago, Krapyak area in the south of Yogyakarta Royal Palace was a forest. Wild animals roamed the woods, among them were deer, which in Javanese is called menjangan. Back then, Mataram Kings liked to go hunting in this place.

Raden Mas Jolang, entitled Prabu Hanyokrowati, the second king of Islamic Mataram Kingdom and son of Panembahan Senopati is one of those kings. In 1613, he had an accident in the forest and died. He was buried in Kotagede and given the posthumous title of Panembahan Sedo ing Krapyak (meaning, the king who died in Krapyak Woods).

It was Pangeran Mangkubumi (Sultan Hamengku Buwono I), another king fond of hunting, who built Panggung Krapyak more than 140 years after the death of Prabu Hanyokrowati.

Panggung Krapyak is a 17.6 m x 15 m rectangular structure with walls made of red bricks coated with concrete, standing upright as high as 10 m. Now the walls are covered with dark stains, hinting its old age. Each side of the building has an arched entrance and two curved windows which are left hollow without door or window panels, like those of mosques.

The stronghold-styled construction consists of two stories, the lower having 4 rooms and a short corridor connecting the entrances. In daytime, the sun will shine through the entrances and windows, bringing in sepia-like lighting to give an old-feel of circumstance to the damp interior. As for the upper floor, it is an open space where the kings would watch and hunt animals. The space is surrounded with fences that have holes on the body.

Looking at the height of the structure, some believe that Panggung Krapyak was also used as stronghold. It is thought that any attack from the south will be seen from the stronghold so that warning can be sent quickly to the Royal Palace. Some also say that the royal soldiers were assigned to be on guard in the building while practicing martial arts.

B. Features

Panggung Krapyak is one of the most important buildings for Keraton Yogyakarta. It is a point on the imaginary line of Yogyakarta, connecting Mount Merapi, Tugu Jogja, Yogyakarta Royal Palace, and the South Sea.

The surrounding of the site is a shady and crowded neighborhood famous for its Islamic Boarding School “Pondok Krapyak”.

Now the condition of Panggung Krapyak is much better than it was. It has been renovated several times so that it looks “fresher” yet, still gives old impression. At night, like Tugu Yogyakarta, Panggung Krapyak will be shined by four spotlights from every side, making it look majestic.

C. Location

Panggung Krapyak is situated in Kampong Krapyak, about 3 km away to the south of the Royal South Square.

D. Access

You just need to go straight south from the Royal South Square to D.I. Panjaitan Street to reach the site.

E. Ticket

You do not need any tickets to visit the site. It is in public area so it is open anytime and for anyone.

F. Accommodations and Other Facilities

There are not many facilities around the site. It sits in the middle of an intersection in a neighborhood—Kampong Krapyak, famous for its Islamic boarding school. So, basically the facilities are those available in the kampong such as internet café, food stalls, mosques, stores, etc.

Text: Andreas Eko Wahyu S.
Photo(s): Collection of Jogjatrip.com
Translation: Reza Daffi
(Primary data and various sources)

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If you are from outside Yogyakarta and want to visit this place by travel agency services,
please contact:

Maharatu Tour and Travel

Jl. Sisingamangaraja No. 27 Yogyakarta.
Telp. +62 274 8373005. Fax. +62 274 379250
Email : maharatu@maharatu.com -maharatu257@yahoo.com
Website : www.maharatu.com

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