SOLO, THE SPIRIT OF JAVA

solo

WELCOME

SOLO, THE SPIRIT OF JAVA

By: agneshia christa

Surakarta, also called SOLO is a city in Central Java, Indonesia. The city is the seat of Surakarta Sunanate keraton (palace/court). Surakarta is also widely known by the name "Solo". "Surakarta" is used in formal and official contexts. The city has a similar name to the neighboring district of "Kartasura," where the previous capital of Mataram was located. The variant spelling "Soerakarta" reflects the Dutch orthography  in use before the 1948 spelling reform.

 

Surakarta is a lowland lying on flat terrain 105 m above sea level (in the city center about 95 m approximately 65 km (40 mi) northeast of Yogyakarta and 100 km (62 mi) southeast of Semarang. The eastern part of the town is bordered by Bengawan Solo River, the longest river on Java. The river is the inspiration for the song "Bengawan Solo", a 1940s composition by Gesang Martohartono which became famous throughout much of Asia. The city's soil is fertile because of the river and its tributaries.

The city is surrounded by Merbabu and Mount Merapi (3,115 m high) to the west and Mount Lawu (2806 m high) to the east. The Sewu Mountain Range lies further south

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

Juridicially, the City of Surakarta was formed based on Government Regulation No.16/SD 1964, announced at July 15, 1946. Based on several historical factors, June 16, 1946 is set as the anniversary of the Government of Surakarta. The city anniversary itself is celebrated every February 16, based on the date of the moving of the palace from Kartasura to Surakarta in 1745. On February 16, 2011, the city celebrated its 256th anniversary.

MAYOR 
The current mayor of Surakarta is Joko Widodo (nicknamed Jokowi), and his vice mayor is F.X.Hadi Rudyatmo. The pair were elected on 2005 and reelected on 2010 for another five-year term. the mayor was chosen as one of the 10 persons of the year by Tempo  magazine.
Under Joko Widodo's mayorship, the city has experienced a marked improvement. He rebranded and promoted Solo as "The Spirit of Java," a Javanese culture and heritage center, batik capital, and tourist friendly city.

GOVERMENT

In the current Indonesian context, Surakarta is a city within the province of Central Java. Previous to the Indonesian nation being formed, it was an autonomous kingdom ruled by the Sunan and a principality ruled by the Mangkunegaran.
The hereditary ruler of the kraton or main court within the city bears the title of Pakubuwono, the present king being Pakubuwono XIII. Like Yogyakarta, Solo also has a junior court, born of another civil war: the Mangkunegaran, a small principality inside Kasunanan, of which Mangkunegara IX is the present monarch. Neither holds any political power and according to Indonesian law, both only have civilian status.


ECONOMY

 Pasar Klewer

 Pasar Klewer is famous as the biggest textile market in Indonesia. The Pasar Klewer is famous for its batiks in all prices and qualities.

Pasar Gedhe

Pasar Gede is often visited by tourists, mostly for its unique architecture and fame as the biggest traditional market in the Solo area.

 There are also antiques markets in Pasar Triwindu and in Pasar Keris near the palace of Surakarta. Every night there is the Galabo Open Food Court near the City Hall, and every Saturday night the Ngarsopuro Night Market near Slamet Riyadi Road.

The business centre in Solo is located along the main artery road of Slamet Riyadi. Several banks, hotels, shopping centres, international retsaurants, and also tourism destinations are located along this road. Every Sunday morning from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., this road is closed as the city government designates that day Solo Car Free Day (SCFD) along the Slamet Riyadi Road in a campaign to reduce carbon emissions.

Modern malls in Solo are Solo Square, Solo Grand Mall, and Solo Paragon (under construction)

 

PUBLIC SERVICES

There are many hospitals in Solo; some with 24-hour ICU facilities are PKU Muhammadiyah Hospital, Panti Kustati Hospital, Islamic Hospital of Surakarta, Kasih Ibu Hospital, Dr. Moewardi Hospital, Panti Waluyo Hospital, Brayat Minulyo Hosipital, Panti Kosala (Dr. Oen Kandang Sapi) Hospital, and Dr. Oen Hospital in Solo Baru. Public parks are also numerous, especially since Joko Widodo became mayor of Solo. He revitalized several parks and now the public of Solo can enjoy Balekambang Park, Sekartaji Park, Sriwedari Park, and Jurug Zoo, one of the oldest and biggest zoos in Indonesia. In Sriwedari Park there is also public entertainment such as Wayang Orang theatre GWO Sriwedari, and the night market in Ngarsopuro, which only opens on Saturday nights.

The area code of Solo is (+62)271. Coin or card phone booths are rare, but there are many phone shops and small stalls selling prepaid phone credits. Internet cafes are also abundant. Several public places such as restaurants and cafes provide Wi-Fi access to their customers too.

TRANSPORTATION
AIR

Adisumarmo International Airport (airport code: SOC) has direct flights to Kuala Lumpur by Air Asia, Singapore by Silk Air and, during the hajj season, Saudi Arabia, as well as regular flights to Jakarta by Garuda Indonesia, Sriwijaya Air, Lion Air and Batavia Air. Also since April 2011 there are two new routes: SOC-BDO (Bandung) and SOC-SUB (Surabaya), operated by Sky Aviation. The airport is located 14 km north of the city. Since May 2011, BST (Batik Solo Trans) buses connect the airport to the city. There is also taxicab service. In 2009 Adisumarmo had 2,060 outbound domestic flights and 616 outbound international flights.

TRAIN



Surakarta has four train stations, Solo Balapan, Purwosari, Solo Jebres, and Solo Kota (Sangkrah). Solo Balapan is the largest station in Surakarta, The main railway station with colonial style building located around 2 km from the center of the center of the townand is the junction between Yogyakarta (westward), Semarang (northward), and Surabaya (eastward), while Purwosari is the junction located west of Solo Balapan, and has a connection to Wonogiri (southward). There are several direct lines to other cities, such as Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Semarang, Madiun, and Malang. For regional traffic, a special train connects Surakarta and Yogyakarta, the Prameks train

Surakarta is unique because it is the only Indonesian city to still have a street-parallel rail track between Purwosari and Solo Kota, along Jalan Slamet Riyadi, Solo's main road. A heritage railway, called Jaladara, also operates between the two stations. Historically, Purwosari had the junction to Boyolali (westward).

ROAD

Tirtonadi Terminal is the largest bus terminal in Surakarta. Surakarta is situated on Indonesian National Route 15 which connects its to Yogyakarta and Waru, Sidoarjo. a Semarang-solo toll Road is currently under construction. In 2009 the total extent of roadways in the city was 705.34 km : 13.15 km state road, 16.33km province road and 675.86 km local road. The number of bus companies was 23, and the total number of buses operating was 1,115 intraprovincial buses and 1,107 inter-prov

In 2010, the government of Surakarta launched a new bus route named Batik Solo Trans, which resembles TransJakarta bus rapid transit service. It has only two rutes, the Departure Route (Adisumarmo Airport-Kartasura-Plur) and return route (palur-kartasura-Adisumarmo Airport). A single trip cost Rp.3000, Rp 1.500 for student. A special ticket for the trip from or to the airport cost Rp.7000

TOURISM

The main tourist attraction of Surakarta is Keraton Surakarta

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  Keraton 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.

The Princely Javanese court of Mangkunegaran. In the middle of the town in the North of Slamet Riyadi Avenue is another palace, Puro Mangkunegaran. 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.



Taman Sriwedari is a popular local entertainment park featuring a children's playground, dangdut music performance, and Wayang Wong traditional Javanese dance performance almost every night. Near the park is Radyapustaka Museum, one of the oldest museums in Indonesia, with a collection of Javanese cultural artifacts. The traditional batik village of Laweyan and Kampung Batik Kauman, located in the southwest part of the city and the city center respectively, are famous for producing fine quality Javanese batik.

Surakarta is located 60 kilometres from Yogyakarta. and shares many tourism spots with it. Candi Borobudur, Candi Prambanan, Candi Ratu Boko, Candi Kalasan, and many other Candi or ancient temples are historical tourist sights. Surakarta is located much closer to Candi Cetho and Candi Sukuh on the slopes of Mount Lawu. The mountainous area of Tawangmangu, featuring Grojogan Sewu waterfall on the slope of Mount Lawu, is also a popular destination for tourists during their stay in Surakarta

CULTURE

Surakarta together with Yogyakarta  is well known as the cultural heartland of Java. As the centre of surviving Javanese court (kraton), Surakarta is famous for its refined, highly polished aesthetic, and sophisticated Javanese art. The Kraton served as an important center dedicated for the preservation of Javanese culture. Several important traditional Javanese ceremonies such as Satu Suro and Sekaten rituals were observed in high importance among its people. The Sunan (king) of Surakarta, although today no longer holds official actual political power, is still revered and holds important position as cultural symbol among Javanese people.

The mother tongue of Surakartans is a local variety of Javanese that differs in some respects from that of other areas. For example, for Surakatans the Javanese word for "cold" is adem, but in Semarang it is atis. The Javanese language of Surakarta and Yogyakarta is used as the standard for all Javanese speakers throughout the nation. Indonesia's official national language is Indonesian

Surakarta is famous as a stronghold and center of Javanese culture and tradition.

People of Solo are known for their politeness, well behave, refined, careful and often speak very softly.

As the center of Javanese courtly culture, Surakarta is the center of royal Javanese dances. Several Surakarta dances are characterized with its slow, constrained and refined movements, as the epitome of gracefulness; such as bedhaya, serimpi, and Surakarta style Wayang wong.

Grup Tari Soeryo Sumirat

 

Standing of it Grup Tari Soeryo Sumirat of early from opinion of The of Prince of Harya Herwasta Kusumo, own-younger brother of Your of Mangkoenegoro IX. He’s with friend which interested in the art dance to form a grup dance, precisely at Friday 2 October 1982 by condro  sengkolo " Astaning Taksaka Gapuraning Radityo" ( 2891 1982) in Gate Mangkunegaran. This Grup stand up for bless of defunct of KGPAA Mangkunegoro VIIIGrup Tari Soeryo Sumirat have 2 shares, that is Classic dance of Java of Solo and Dance Moderen/Kreasi. Gallery dance this reside in in Palace of Mangkunegaran Solo, single gallery dance in empire scope.

Wayang wong 

Wayang wong is routinely performed in a wayang wong theatre in Sriwedari park, wayang wong appear on century XVII inspired by the drama expanded in Europe, created by KGPAA Mangkunegoro I in Solo

Wayang Kulit

Figure of shadow play come from classic story of Ramayana And Mahabharata mirroring human life.

And It is possible for someone to choose or to order directly a specific wayang at the workshop

Wayang Bocah

Wayang Bocah played by children or in Javanese referred as by child.

KETOPRAK 
 

Ketoprak Balekambang have there since year 1950. First this show’s named " Tobong" or the emergency podium because its place always move.

BATIK

The batik of Solo (Surakarta) is known as among the oldest batik tradition in Java. The typical style of Solo batik is its sogan (dark yellow) color, in contrast with Yogyakarta batik has whitish background.

Batik Course

For those who are interested in deeper knowledge of batik manufacturing, short batik courses are available, among other in a alley near Warung Baru and in Kauman, off Jl. Yos Sudarso.

Kindly note that Solo is also The City of Batik, with leading Batik Exporters in the country.

FOOD

Food associated with Surakarta includes Nasi Liwet, Nasi Timlo, Tongseng, Serabi, Sate buntel, Intip, Roti Mandarin, and Bakpia Balong. Gudeg Solo is also different with Gudeg Yogyakarta, Gudeg Solo is more soupy and rich with thick coconut milk, while gudeg Yogya is dryer and have reddish color from the addition of teak leaf

EVENT

GREBEG BESAR

To celebrating  Idul Adha. This Event take place in front Masjid Agung Solo. Culminate celebration marked by moment of “Hajad Dalem Gunungan” in procession from Keraton Surakarta go to Masjid Agung

KIRAB MALAM 1 SURA

Celebration of New Year  according to Java Calendar.

 In Mangkunegaran  “jamasan” (washing) of “benda pusaka”, later then “dikirabkan” around “ Pura Mangkunegaran”

 In Keraton Surakarta, 1 Sura also kirab of “benda pusaka” around “Benteng Keraton” . the most interest is some “kebo bule” ( buffalo albino) as “cucuk lampah” .

SOLO BATIK CARNIFAL

Solo Batik Carnival digelar sejak tahun 2008 sebagai sarana untuk lebih memperkenalkan Solo sebagai Kota Batik di mata Indonesia maupun dunia. Perhelatan Akbar ini diselenggarakan oleh Solo Center Point Foundation dan Pemerintah Kota Surakarta

Solo Batik Carnival adalah karnaval masyarakat yang dirancang untuk menjadi sebuah karnaval yang mendunia. Sesuai dengan namanya, batik dijadikan sebagai materi utama penciptaan kostum karnaval yang fantastis. Setiap peserta (yang jumlahnya ratusan) wajib mengikuti workshop merancang kostum beberapa bulan sebelumnya. Kostum karnaval harus rancangan sendiri dan dipamerkan  pada puncak acara Solo Batik Carnival yang berlangsung di sepanjang Jalan Slamet Riyadi hingga Kantor Balai Kota Solo.

 

Pada tahun 2008 awal pelaksanaannya,  

Pemandangan indah ini menjadikan Solo Batik Carnival semakin istimewa dengan antusiasme ribuan penonton yang memadati lokasi parade

Corak batik klasik dipadukan dengan batik kontemporer