THE ROYAL CONNECTION
True to its name, Special Region of Yogyakarta is indeed, special. Situated under the mighty presence of Mount Merapi, the region is made up of five naturally blessed districts. With the sea in the south and the volcano in the north, it is understandable why the fertile land was chosen as the cradle of ancient civilisation that gave birth to the world’s largest Buddhist temple, Borobudur. But, there is more to this region than just the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As I was driven through the capital city, it was abundantly clear to me that the very heart of the region lies within the Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat. As the seat of the reigning Sultan of Yogyakarta, Hamengkubuwono X and his family, the vast royal complex is the embodiment and gatekeeper of the or royal caretakers pledged their devotion to the palace, voluntarily taking care of the household and its various programmes.
