Klewer Market

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A. Overview

Klewer Market is a well-known shopping center in Solo, Surakarta City, Central Java. This market, which location is beside Keraton Surakarta, is the most complete shopping center of batik cloths, thus becoming a destination for wholesalers from Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Semarang, and other cities in Java. Moreover, batik cloth in this market is famous for its low price compared to other shopping centers in Indonesia. Built in 1970, this market consists of two wide floors. This market houses around 1,467 sellers and about 2,064 units of shop.

According to the local history, during the Japanese colonization in Indonesia, the area was a train station as well as marketplace for indigenes. Due to its function as marketplace, the area was then famous as Slompretan Market. The word “slompretan” derives from the sound of departing train which resembled the sound of trumpet (slompret). In Slompretan Market, the sellers put batik cloths on their shoulders, thus the cloths were hanging (berkeleweran) if seen from distance. Due to this phenomenon, the market name was then changed into Klewer Market up to these days.

B. Features

Batik lovers shall not miss the chance of seeing many collections of batik in Klewer Market. Visiting this market, visitors can get unique impression absent in any other markets or shopping centers. This market provides complete collections of batik with various types and motifs in reasonable price. This market becomes the biggest batik shopping center in Central Java. The price ranges from tens to hundreds of thousands rupiahs, depending on the quality, motif, and type of the cloth.

This batik grocery center provides batik of various type and motif, namely batik motif Solo, batik cap (print), and many other motifs. Various types of batik Surakarta, such as batik asli Surakarta, batik antik kraton Surakarta, batik pantai kraton Surakarta, daster Surakarta, batik saerah Surakarta, batik putri Solo, batik “kelelawar” Surakarta, etc, are available. Moreover, there are also many other types of batik, such as batik Yogyakarta, Pekalongan, Banyumas, Madura, Betawi, and batik from other cities. This market also provides batik cloth for everyday use in form of clothes, bed clothes, pillow case, and many other batik accessories.

When buying batik cloth in this market, visitors are supposed to bargain first. If visitors can bargain smartly, they can get lower price. The quality of batik will be a factor of consideration for seller in determining the price. According to the testimony of a buyer, shopping in this market is satisfying because the price is reasonable and the sellers are friendly so visitors feel comfortable.

In addition to its reputation as batik,center of this market also provides many other goods, such as non-batik clothes and accessories, food, handicrafts, electronic devices, gold, kitchen utensils, and many more. Moreover, there are unique handicrafts of Solo which have export quality, such as carved wooden mirror, carved glass, and various souvenir made from glass.

Klewer Market consists of two buildings connected by stairs. Because the stairs are wide enough, the crowd of floor-to-floor movement is avoidable. Other thing which make it special is that the market is situated side-by-side with Keraton Surakarta. Therefore, in addition to shopping, visitors can enjoy the beauty of keraton.

Visitors can also visit the manufacturers of batik tulis in Kampong Kauman and Kampong Laweyan which location is about 5 km from this market. In that area, visitors can watch by themselves the process of making batik, starting from the making of pattern until the dying process. In these kampongs, there are also shops offering batik clothes.

Before buying batik cloth, buyers can also order or consult the sellers through online shopping services. Some sellers in this market already apply online transaction.

In addition to shopping, visitors can also visit historical sites such as Keraton Surakarta, Surakarta Grand Mosque, North Square of Surakarta, and other historical sites. Visitors can also enjoy the annual event held by Keraton Surakarta, namely sekaten. In this event, there are art exhibitions, cultural shows, and pasar tiban (night fair) held in North Square of Surakarta, exactly at the north side of Klewer Market.

C. Location

Klewer Market is located at the west side of Keraton Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia.

D. Access

To reach Klewer Market, visitors can start the journey from Tirtonadi bus station, Surakarta. From this bus station, visitors should change public transportation or taxi to Klewer Market. It takes around 30 minutes from Tirtonadi Bus Station to Klewer Market.

E. Ticket

Visitors do not have to pay to enter Klewer Market. However, visitors who take private vehicles shall pay the parking fee.

F. Accommodations and Other Facilities

Klewer Market is equipped with supporting facilities, such as parking area, mosque, information center, karaoke studio, toilet, and some food stalls providing special food from Solo, i.e. thengkleng, racikan salat, krupuk karak, timlo solo, sayur tumpang, etc.

Text: Junardi
Photos: Collections of Jogjatrip.com
Translation: Febrianti Ika Dewi
(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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