Yogyakarta Presidential Palace

Yogyakarta presidential palace was originally home to the official residence of the resident-18 in Yogyakarta (1823-1825). He was a Dutchman named Anthonie Hendriks Smissaert, which is also the originator or initiator of the construction of this Great House. This building was founded in May 1824 in the Dutch colonial period. It originated from the desire of a "palace" is authoritative for the resident-resident Dutch. Architect named A. Payen; he was appointed by the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies at that time. Follow the style of European architecture of the building to suit the tropical climate.

Diponogero War (1825-1830), whom the Dutch called the Java War, resulting in the construction of the building was delayed. Disaster / earthquake struck twice on the same day, causing the official residence of the Dutch resident collapsed. But the new buildings erected and completed in 1869. The building is at the Main Building Complex of the Presidential Palace of Yogyakarta, which is now called the State House.

History also records that on December 19, 1927, administrative status as the region of Yogyakarta province increased to residency. Supreme ruler of the Netherlands is no longer resident, but the governor. Thus, the main building which was completed in 1869 it became the residence of the governor of the Dutch in Yogyakarta and the entry of Japanese occupation. Some of the Dutch Governor who inhabit the building was Jasper JE (1926-1927), PRW van Gesseler Verschuur (1929-1932), HM de Kock (1932-1935), J. Bijlevel (1935-1940), and L Adam (1940-1942). During the Japanese occupation, the palace became the official residence of the Japanese authorities in Yogyakarta, namely Koochi Zimmukyoku Tyookan.

History of the Great House is a very important and very meaningful when the government of the Republic of Indonesia moved from Jakarta to Yogyakarta. On January 6, 1946, which dubbed the city of Yogyakarta Gudeg it officially became the new capital of the Republic of Indonesia that is still young, and the palace was turned into the Presidential Palace as the residence of President Soekarno, the President of the Republic of Indonesia I, along with his family. While Vice President Mohammad Hatta and family when it lived in the building now occupied by Korem 072 / Pamungkas, not far from the palace complex.

Since then, the history of the palace (mainly the function and role) changed. Inaugural General Sudirman as the Commander in Chief of TNI (on June 3, 1947), followed by the inauguration of the tips of the Republic of Indonesia Armed Forces High Command (on July 3, 1947), and five Cabinet Rebulik young it was formed and inaugurated in the Palace as well.

On Sunday 19 December 1948, Yogyakarta, battered by the Dutch troops under the leadership of Gen. Spoor. Event known as the Military Aggression II led to the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, along with several other princes were exiled to the outer island of Java, specifically to Brastagi and Bangka, and just returned to Yogyakarta on July 6, 1949. Starting that date, the court again serve as the official residence of the President. However, since December 28, 1949, namely the migration of the President to Jakarta, the palace is no longer a residence of the President.

A historical event that can not be ignored is the function of the Great House was originally the founding of the Republic of Indonesia (June 3, 1947). At that time the Great House serves as a place of inauguration of General Sudirman, as the Commander of the Indonesian National Army (TNI). In addition, for three years (1946-1949), this building serves as the official residence of the President of the Republic of Indonesia I.

After the independence of Indonesia, precisely at the offices of President II RI, since April 17, 1988, the Presidential Palace in Yogyakarta / Great House is also used for the implementation of Ceremony-cadets Midshipman Air New Akabri, and at the same event Farewell The New Young Officers Passed by the Governor and the Special Region of Yogyakarta. In fact, since August 17, 1991, officially the Presidential Palace in Yogyakarta / Great House is used as a place to commemorate Moments Proclamation for the Special Region of Yogyakarta.

In line with its function is now, more than 65 heads of state and head of government and state guests, has been visiting or staying at the Great House. Customers first state visit to the building is the President of India Rajendra Prasad (1958). In the sixties, King Bhumibol of Thailand Adulyajed (1960) and President Ayub Khan of Pakistan (1960) to visit and spend the night in this building. A year later (1961), it is a state guest of Prime Minister Abbas Ferhart from Algeria. In the seventies, the visit is President D. Macapagal of the Philippines (1971), Queen Elizabeth II of England (1974), as well as Prime Minister Srimavo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka (1976).

Then, in the eighties, the country's guest was the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yeuw (1980), Yang Pertuan Sultan Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam (1984). Other important guests who never rest in the Great House, among others, Princess Sirindhom of Muanghthai (1984), Ny. Marlin Quayle, wife of Vice President of the United States (1984), President F. Mitterand of France (1988), Prince Charles with Princess Diana of England (1989), and the head of the Catholic Church Pope John Paul II (1989).

In the nineties, the great guests who visited the Great House was the Sultan Azlan Shah Pertuan Agung of Malaysia (1990), Japan's Emperor Akihito (1991), and Princess Basma of Jordan (1996).

Sambisari Temple

Once buried for hundreds of years, the first slab was discovered in 1966. It takes 21 years to excavate and assemble hundreds of pieces "puzzle" of the stone before Sambisari successfully reconstructed temple.

Nothing strange feeling that descend Karyowinangun on a morning in 1966. But a rare occurrence at that time experienced in the field, while swinging the spade into the ground. Hoe who swung to the ground hitting a boulder after having seen sculptured on its surface. Karyowinangun and local people were surprised by the presence of chunks of rock.

Department aware of any archaeological findings come too soon and the next set of rice acreage Karyowinangun as ancient sanctuary. Carved stone found was supposed to be part of the temple that may be buried under the rice acreage. Excavations carried out to finally find hundreds of other boulders and ancient statues. And indeed, the stones were indeed a component of a temple.

Hose 21 years later, finally able to enjoy the beauty of the temple. Sambisari named the temple stood majestically on Sambisari Hamlet, Village Purwomartani, Kalasan District, Sleman, 10 kilometers from the city center. You can reach by driving through road traffic Yogya-Solo to find a signboard to this temple. Next, you just turn left follow the road.

I surprised when it arrived in the temple area. When the direct view to the middle area of ​​the temple, only the roof stone structure that looks as if only plays a few feet above the ground. I wondering, is it true that only such a small temple Sambisari? After the close, then we got the answer. Apparently, Sambisari temple is 6.5 meters lower than the surrounding region.

Sambisari temple is built between the years 812-838 AD, probably during the reign of Rakai Garung. The temple complex consists of a main temple and 3 pieces of fruit accompanying temple. There are two fences that surrounded the temple complex, a fence has been restored completely, while one other fence only displayed little to the east of the temple. Still as a barrier, there are 8 pole phallus scattered in every direction of the wind.

The main temple building is unique because it does not have a base like other temples in Java. Foot of the temple also functions as a base so that parallel to the ground. The foot of the temple left plain, without reliefs or decorations. Various decorations are generally in the form of new simbar found on the body until the top of the temple exterior. Ornaments that look like batik motifs.

Climb the ladder entrance of the temple, you will see an ornament of a lion in the mouth of makara (magical animal in Hindu mythology) are dropped. The figure of makara in Sambisari and an evolution of the makara form in India that could be a combination of an elephant with a fish or a crocodile with a curved tail.

1 meter wide corridor will be found after passing through the last rung of the main temple entrance. Surrounds it, you will find three niches each containing a statue. On the north side, there is a statue of Goddess Durga (the wife of Lord Shiva) with eight hands each holding a weapon. While on the east side there is a statue of Ganesha (the son of Goddess Durga). On the south side, there is a statue of Agastya with aksamala (prayer beads) are worn around the neck.

Entering the main temple chamber, can be seen phallus and yoni is large enough, approximately 1.5 meters. Its existence shows that this temple was built as a shrine of Lord Shiva. Phallus and yoni in the chambers of the main temple is also used to make holy water. Typically, the water poured on the phallus and allowed to flow through a small ditch on the yoni, and then accommodated in a container.

Exit from the main temple and headed west, you can see the three ancillary temples (companion) facing the opposite direction. There are allegations that the ancillary temples are deliberately built without a roof for when the excavation was found rocks the roof. The temples ancillary center has a square plinth decorated with dragons and Padmasana (lotus) shaped convex on it. Chances are, Padmasana and pedestal is used as a place statues or offerings.

If you have been enjoying the beauty of the temple, you can go to the information space. Some of the photos depicting the environmental field Karyowinangun excavated and the initial conditions before the temple was found to be met. There are also photographs of the excavation and reconstruction of temples that run for decades, including pictures of other objects found during excavation, in the form of bronze statues which are now stored at the Archaeological Heritage Preservation Hall.

The beauty Sambisari temple that is now we can enjoy is the result of the hard work of archaeologists for 21 years. The temple which was originally like a giant jigsaw puzzle, piece by piece was reconstructed by lestarinya another great cultural heritage of the past.