Solo Landmarks and Monuments

(Solo, Central Java, Indonesia)

Ancient Hindu temples (candis), magnificent palaces and Islamic mosques tend to be the most apparent landmarks within Solo. The Kraton Surakarta (Kraton Kasunanan) is an especially important landmark in Solo and became the official home of Pakubuwono II, when this ruler of Kartasura moved here as part of a showy procession, lasting an entire day.

A particularly breathtaking landmark and built during the middle of the 18th century, the Puri Mangkunegaran resides within the very heart of Solo, where it functions as a palace (puri), cultural centre, museum and home to the royal family. The palace complex is centred around the 'pendopo' area, which is edged on its northern wall by the 'dalem', where the palace museum is to be found.

Kraton Surakarta (Kraton Kasunanan)

Address: Jalan Sasonomulyo, Solo, Indonesia, ID
Tel: +62 0271 656 432
Situated next to the Jalan Reksoniten, the Kraton Surakarta is one of the most obvious landmarks in Solo. When king Pakubuwono II arrived in 1745 he brought everything with him, including his sacred Nyai Setomo cannon and banyan trees. A more European-style decor was added by wealthy rulers in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The entrance to the Kraton Surakarta opens on to the Alun Alun, where its main audience hall (Pagelaran) is located. Following serious fire damage in 1985, much of the Kraton Surakarta has been rebuilt and completely restored, and so is now in an excellent state of repair. The Panggung Songgo Buwono tower was untouched by the fire and is a distinctive feature of the Kraton. Most visitors tend to spend their time in the Sasono Sewoko Museum, marvelling at the bronze Hindu-Javanese figures and antique carriages.
Open hours: Tuesday to Friday - 09:00 to 14:00, Saturday and Sunday - 09:00 to 15:00
Admission: charge

Puri Mangkunegaran

Address: Jalan Yosodipuro / Jalan Diponegoro, Solo, Indonesia, ID
Tel: +62 0271 644 946
The palace pavilion is quite notable at the Puri Mangkunegaran and is one of the biggest of its kind in Indonesia, being famous for its elaborately decorated painted ceiling and also known for its interesting collection of traditional 'gamelan' instruments. The Puri Mangkunegaran offers visitors excellent guided tours of the museum, where you will discover royal jewellery, Buddhist rings and rather amusingly for many, golden genital covers. Other highlights include an attractive landscaped garden, music and dancing in the pavilion on Wednesdays, and private dinners with the royal family, for a minimum of 25 guests.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 08:30 to 14:00, Sunday - 08:30 to 13:00
Admission: charge

Great Mosque of Surakarta (Mesjid Agung)

Address: Jalan Kyai Gede Sala, Solo, Indonesia, ID
The Surakarta Mosque is known locally in Solo as the Mesjid Agung and is located on the westerly side of the Alun Alun area, off the Jalan Secoyudan. This sacred mosque is the biggest and most impressive that the city has to offer and has classical, ornate Javanese architecture. Built during the 1760s, the Great Mosque of Surakarta is shaped like a pyramid and has been altered slightly over the years, including the replacement of the main pillar in 1794, some gold plating in 1850 and the addition of a small tower in 1914.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Sahasra Adhi Pura

Address: Solo, Indonesia, ID
The Sahasra Adhi Pura is a grand, modern Hindu temple compound, located within the city's easterly suburbs. Lots of different Javanese Hindu deities are represented here in the form of statues, while outside, the spreading countryside features many acres of rice paddy fields. As well as functioning as a religious temple, the Sahasra Adhi Pura also operates as a Kundalini yoga centre. Those who make the effort to visit will be surprised to find no less than 50 scaled miniatures of prominent sacred sites from throughout the world.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free