Historical and Archaeological Heritage of Yogyakarta (Ratu Boko Temple Palace)

Located on a hill approximately 2 kilometers to the south of the Pambanan Temple. Easily accessible by public transportation from Yogyakarta to the main road into the city of Solo (Surakarta) and get off at the junction area of Prambanan temple complex at the town Piyungan.

Next trip continued with another transport to the Piyungan city, then get off at the Bokoharjo village located at the foothills Boko. From these stops, the journey continues on foot through the uphill footpath along the 400 meters. If you bring a small-wheeled vehicles (non-bus), it can also pass on the earth Palapa station.

Ratu Boko site was first reported by Van Boeckholzt in 1790, which states there are archaeological ruins on the hill Ratu Boko. The hill itself is a branch of Mountain Sewu system, which stretches from south of Yogyakarta and the area Tulungagung. One hundred years later, new research led by FDK Bosch, which are reported in Van Ratoe Boko Palace. From this it is concluded that the ruins are the remains of the palace. 

Unlike other ancient relics from the era that is generally shaped ancient Javanese religious buildings, the site is a complex of Ratu Boko profane, complete with a gate entrance, marquee, shelter, swimming baths, to the protective fence.

Slightly different from the other palaces in Java, which is generally established in areas of relatively gentle, Ratu Boko site is situated on a hill high enough. It makes building complex is relatively more difficult to be built from the point of procurement of labor and building materials. Except when the main building material is stone, taken from the hill itself. This course requires well trained workers in the process the rock into blocks that can be used as building material.

The palace of Ratu Boko is estimated to be built by Balaputradewa which is still one prambanan era with the construction of a temple, which was intended as a place of strategic defense of the power influences Wamca (Sanjaya dynasty). From the hill above this altitude, the enemy movement can be monitored carefully, position on the hill also provides cool air and beautiful natural scenery to its residents, besides of course making this complex more difficult to attack the opponent.

This temple has aesthetic value (beauty) is very high, which is implied from the gate and the remains of the pillars of the porch of the palace which is still looking beauty, harmonious with the surrounding natural beauty that can be enjoyed in this area.

On the inside of this temple can be found the remains kaputren (residence princess) and Siti Hinggil who is now in the process of restoration. In part this kaputren equipped bathing pool which is where discussion is expected to advance his daughter Queen Boko famous with Roro Jonggrang name, the statue now occupies one room of the main temple complex of Prambanan.

A history of grand and noble, equipped with the natural scenery of the exotic is always the main attraction of tourists and foreign archaeologists and scientists in particular to always come to this temple.

Come visit the tourist area of Yogyakarta culture www.artofyogyakarta.blogspot.com