SOLO

Surakarta or more famous as Solo is lying across in fertile plain terrain along the longest river in Java, Bengawan or River Solo. Flanked by mountain volcanoes Merapi and Merbabu in the north, and mount Lawu in the southeast border, is famous as a stronghold and center of Javanese culture and tradition.

The tranquil town of Solo with its charming and soft-spoken people has several amazing names as a sign of adoration, such as: the city that never sleeps, the center of culture and the city of pleasure. Some foreign travelers say that Solo is the least westernized town in Central Java.

Slamet Riyadi Avenue

MEMORY OF THE OLD TIME

The history of Solo is unseparable with ancient time, with the discovery of 'Java man' in the village of Sangiran in Sragen Regency, Hindu – Buddhist Temples and the existence of old Palaces of Javanese Sultans.

In the down town of the city, along the wide green Slamet Riyadi Avenue, at the cross road of Sudirman, turn south cross the Alun-alun Utara (North Square), That is the Karaton Surakarta Hadiningrat, with the present king Sri Susuhunan Paku Buwono XII. It is opened daily at 08.30 am – 02.00 pm, Friday is closed.

In the middle of the town in the North of Slamet Riyadi Avenue is another palace, Puro Mangkunagaran. The present king is Sri Mangkunagoro IX. It is opened daily at 09.00 am – 02.00 pm, Sunday 09.00 am – 01.00 pm.

Both palaces have their own excellent programs to be adored by tourists, among other; court dance, gamelan music performance, museums, etc.

Karaton Kartosuro
Located 10 km west of Solo, the remnant of the palace is there. It was the center power of Mataram for 60 (sixty) years until 1745.

Karaton Pajang
Also located in Kartosuro, in the village of Makam Haji, Pajang. Some believe that it was the site of Karaton Pajang under Sultan Hadiwijaya who reigned between 1540 – 1580.

Museum Radya Pustaka
It was built in 1890, located at JL. Slamet Riyadi. The statue of Ronggowarsito, a Karaton poet of the past stands in the front yard. It has a good collection of antiquities, gamelan, keris, puppets, scroll of wayang beber, some Javanese and Dutch books. Open daily 08.00 AM - 01.00 PM, Friday 08.00 AM - 11.00 AM, Monday closed

Museum Radya Pustaka

Stasiun Balapan
The main railway station with colonial style building located around 2 km from the center of the town. Solo is in the main railway roads connecting Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Surabaya. It has also connection with Bandung. There are frequent day and night trains of different classes.

The grave of Ki Ageng Enis
He was the great grand son of King Brawijaya V, the grand father of Panembahan Senopati (the First king of Mataram Kingdom II), many pilgrims visit his grave in Laweyan.

The Bengawan or River Solo
This longest river in Java flows along the eastern edge of the town from its source in the lime stones hill of the south, near East Java border to its mouth nearby Surabaya, on the Java sea.
Regretfully, the river is now shallow, it is not navigable anymore. But in the past It was an important link between Solo and the north cost of East Java. There is a well-known song 'Bengawan Solo' composed by Mr. Gesang.

THE NEW CITY

The main avenue is Jl. Slamet Riyadi, in the center of the city is the favorite thoroughfare of Solo. Many hotels, restaurants and offices are located along and around this avenue. This developing city has some places of interest among other :

Press Museum
The only press museum in the country. It has collections of newspapers, bulletins and magazines from the colonial time to present date.

Dullah Museum
Dullah is one of Indonesia's famous painter and artist. This museum is located on Jl. DR. Cipto, displaying his painting and his collection of antiques, ceramics and crafts.
Open daily 08.00 am to noon, Monday is closed.

Sriwedari Park
It is a recreation park with gardens, theaters and restaurants, located in the center of the city. Locally known as 'Kebon Rojo', the king's garden.

Bale Kambang
It is a shady tree park for entertainment.

Jurug Park
A recreation center on the bank of Bengawan Solo, with a zoo, children's playground, etc.

Pasar Gede
It is the biggest traditional market in downtown selling all manner of produce.

Pasar Gede

Pasar Depok
It is an interesting outdoor market with many collections of colorful tropical birds located at the north west end of Jl. R.M. Said.

Mesjid Agung
Located on the westward of Alun-alun Lor (North Square), it is the largest mosque in Solo. The dominant architecture is Javanese.

Gereja (Church) St. Antonius
The biggest church in Purbayan, Solo.

Vihara Rahayu
It is a Chinese Buddhist Temple on Jl. Karaton, southward of Jl. Slamet Riyadi.

Pura Mandira Seta
A Hindu Shrine and a place of learning Yoga for local and foreign people at Jl. Sidikara 2, east of Karaton

Pasar Klewer
Off the west gate of Karaton's North Square, this old market selling all kinds of fabrics, predominantly batik. Other traditional fabrics are lurik (hand-woven striped cotton cloth) and tenun ikat.
There are hundreds of shops jammed along narrow passageways. Visitors must be prepared to bargain.