Solo is famous for the two Kraton's, the Batik Factories and the Candi's in the near suroundings

When you do not see the shared border on the left and you want make a link to the other pages,   click here

bulletThe Town: Kraton Mangkunegara, the richest of the two Kraton's. The grandson of President Sukarno is the Mangkunegara prince of Solo. His family was in a bitter fight with Ibu Tien, the wife of president Soeharto, about the building of a Hotel inside the Kraton. The royal family won, there is no Hotel.
kraton.jpg (20565 bytes)

The royal family still lives in the Kraton. The family is considered wealthy, because of clever investments, but does not own land. May be the best the Dutch left behind from colonial times. None of the Javanese royal families and all of the nobles do not own any land. Thanks to the much hated "cultuur-stelsel"   (1830-1860) and the lost Javanese wars against the Dutch!

 Pendopo.jpg (19695 bytes)

The pendopo of Kraton Mangkunegara with the gamelan and the dance practices each Wednesday morning. (We were there on the wrong day). The ceiling is very special.
jamu.jpg (27811 bytes)

A Jamu shop in Solo. All illnesses and weaknesses can be treated here. Do not ask me what it includes.

 china.jpg (24456 bytes)

Do you want something special in your room? At least it is colourful! Fantastic "kitsch".

 

 

bulletThe pasars and the batik factories. Solo is a major producer of textiles
pasar.jpg (25650 bytes)

Never forget to go to the pasar in Indonesia.

 

 Klewer.jpg (22726 bytes)

Pasar Klewer in Solo is famous for all textile you can buy here. The pasar is important for the small toko in the villages who buy here cheap the clothes they sell with a profit.
batikprnt.jpg (23694 bytes)

Printing of the batik kains in the factory.

 batikpnt.jpg (28345 bytes)

The batik kains are here painted with waxes for the next colour bath.

  solo.jpg (365930 bytes)

bulletThe surroundings. We love Trekking.
waterfall.jpg (26681 bytes)

The waterfall of Tawangmangu is 81 meters high. This hardly shows on this photo. From this place you can make a walk to Candi Sukuh and next to Candi Ceto.    (total five hours walk, including the visits to the candi's).

 ceto.jpg (9341 bytes)

Candi Ceto in the clouds. Many gods are there, certainly king phallus will be present.

Near the gardens and the villages it is difficult to know the right direction, but there are always people to ask.
clouds.jpg (14504 bytes)

Clouds surround the Lawu volcano in the rainy season. They give that characteristic view down from the slope on the trekking path from the waterfall to Candi Sukuh.

 mount.jpg (8071 bytes)

Mount Lawu with Sarangan village in the front. People will show you the road anywhere. Never forget to give money when they join you unasked to bring you to that special place. It contradicts with our western feeling of privacy, but you can really enjoy their accompany, if you adjust. And even small money is extremely important for them.