Sonny Hendrawan Saputra | 10 Mei 2012

: The front part of Ndalem Sasonomulyo (1)

: The front part of Ndalem Sasonomulyo (2)

For reading the series of “RETRACING SURAKARTA PRINCES’ RESIDENCES”:

Chapter I: An Introduction, please click here

Chapter II: Batik Factory, please click here

Chapter III: Ndalem Sasonomulyo, please click here

Chapter IV: Delikan, please click here

After enjoying the architecture of old Batik Factory, we continued to the first destination of Surakarta Prince Residence, Ndalem Sasonomulyo. Uniquely, we did not enter front the main gate of the residence (south gate), but we entered from back part of the residence in which we needed to pass crowded housing area which is called as mager sari. Mager sari is the concept of living in an area owned by more respected or prosperous people especially the king; without paying and without owning the land. Basically people who do mager sari are abdi dalem (Royal assistant) From the northern gate, we directly saw the front part of the rooms in eastern side of the residence.

: Entering the northern gate of Ndalem Sasonmulyo

: Some rooms in eastern part of Ndalem Sasonomulyo

Sasono Mulyo is the residence of the Prince Gusti Pangeran Haryo (GPH) Dipokusumo, the son of the late Surakarta King, Pakubuwono XII. He lives there with his wife, Raden Ayu (RAy) Febri Hapsari Dipokusomo, one son and two daughters. In Javanese language, ndalem is home, sasono is like area/house, and mulyo means noble. Thus, Ndalem Sasonomulyo is the house which is expected to give noble to people who live there. The condition of the residence is good enough though it has passed through several renovation. When they were inherited that residence for the first time, the condition was terrible and literally it was almost falling.

: Gusti Pangeran Haryo (GPH) Dipokusumo

Parts of Ndalem Sasonomulyo

: Topengan, topeng means mask. It is like gazebo in the front part of Ndalem Sasonomulyo

: The roof in the hall (Pendapa) Ndalem Sasonomulyo

: The hall (Pendapa) of Ndalem Sasonomulyo (1)

: The hall (Pendapa) of Ndalem Sasonomulyo (2)

: The door to enter the inside part of Ndalem Sasonomulyo (1)

: The door to enter the inside part of Ndalem Sasonomulyo (2)

: Gamelan (Javanese traditional music instrument) inside Ndalem Sasonomulyo

: The main inside part of Ndalem Sasonomulyo, it is the most sacred room in which it is used as a place to put the dead body of Royal family before being buried or to be one procession place of wedding ceremony