Historically, Solo has been a centre of power in Central Java. In 1745 the Mataram court was transferred here from Kota Gede, and, since then, the city has built on its reputation as a cultural hub.  As the epicentre of Javanese identity and tradition, Solo offers an incredible list of tradition, cultural history, culinary and local wisdom. From Solonese dance, wayang puppetry through to hand-crafted batik Solo remains a city that prides itself on its artistic traditions of elegance and refinement.

 

Solo today remains a distinctly Central Javanese with an elegance all its own. It is one of the centers of batik and other Javanese fabrics, and souvenir hunters may find exquisite ‘objects d’art” and ornate trinkets in the local markets. Those interested in old, Javanese culture and art should not miss Solo. Home of two royal houses with centuries of power and influence over the city. There are nice inns and hotels in Solo for accommodation. This place was a famous holiday resort of Surakarta Royal Families.

 

Then, Solo also attracts students and scholars to its music and dance academies, and it’s an excellent place to see traditional performing arts, as well as traditional crafts – especially batik, which is a local staple.

 

Where to visit?

 

Lokananta

 

 

Lokananta is the first record label of Indonesia, based in Surakarta, Central Java. Lokananta was established on 1956 and has over 40,000 recordings, which include some 5,200 commercial labels, in its collection. About 20,000 recordings are without cover. Lokananta was revitalized on November 2022, and officially reopened on June 2023. The revitalization of Lokananta presents seven arena that can be explored. Starting from Lokananta Gallery, Lokananta Recording Studio, Lokananta Live House, Lokananta Circle Park, Amphitheater Stage, F&B Retail Area and Creative Retail Area. Lokananta is located 180m away and only 3 minutes from The Sunan Hotel Solo.

 

 

Solo Safari

 

 

The wildlife education area, Solo Safari spanning 13.9 hectares became one of the destination in Surakarta that attracts most of the tourist. A drastic change occurred after the revitalization of what was once known as the Taru Jurug Wildlife Park (TSTJ). In addition to being a wildlife education center, Solo Safari successfully provides a completely different experience overall with the modern, family friendly and environmentally friendly concept.

 

 

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Solo

 

 

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a mosque in Solo which is a smaller replica of the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who was then the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, visited Indonesia in July 2019, and had offered the mosque as a gift to President Joko Widodo. Construction began March 2021 and completed on February 2023.
The mosque can accommodate about 10,000 worshipers. It has 4 minarets and 82 domes in total

 

 

Pura Mangkunegaran

 

 

It was established in 1757 by Raden Mas Said, when he submitted his army to Pakubuwono III in February, and swore allegiance to the rulers of Surakarta, Yogyakarta, and the Dutch East Indies Company, and was given an appanage of 4000 households.
The Palace of the rulers of Mangkunegaran was established by Raden Mas Said who signed a treaty with the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in 1757. By virtue of the treaty, he became the rule of a part of Eastern Mataram and was henceforth known as Mangkunegara I. Known as Pura Mangkunegaran, the palace is located in the center of the city of Solo.

 

 

Pracima Tuin

 

 

Pracima Tuin is a tourist spot in Solo that offers a dining experience in a Javanese royal atmosphere, especially the culture at Puro Mangkunegaran Solo. It is known that Pracima Tuin consists of two main parts, namely the Pracimasana restaurant and a garden which contains fountains, plants, ponds, and so on. Visitors who visit Pracima Tuin can enjoy these two parts at once.The atmosphere, architecture and food menu are adapted to Puro Mangkunegaran. All the food served at Pracimasana has been tried and received direct approval from KGPAA Mangkunegoro.

 

 

Kasunanan

 

 

The Surakarta Kraton was established in 1745 by Pakubuwono II. Surakarta Sunanate and Yogyakarta Sultanate are together the successors of Mataram Sultanate. Unlike their counterparts in Yogyakarta, who use the title of sultan, the rulers of Surakarta use the title of sunan.

The principal residence of the sunan is the kraton (palace), sometimes called the Surakarta Kraton or Kraton Solo but otherwise known in formal terms as Karaton Surakarta Hadiningrat.

 

 

Taman balekambang

 

 

Balekambang Park was built in 1921 by KGPAA Mangkunegara VII for his daughters, GRAy Partini Husein Djayaningrat and GRAy Partinah Sukanta. Now, we can still see The Statue of Partini and Partinah in this park area that have area around 9.8 hectares. On 2022 Balekambang Park was revitalized with the concept on Botanical Garden by adding the facility of sky walk, theatre building, kolam partini, bale apung, and more.

 

 

Museum Keris

 

 

Museum Keris Nusantara holds a collection of around 409 keris of various types and sizes. This museum also collects 38 spears and other historical heirlooms, is equipped with a visual video about the journey of the keris in Indonesia and also has a room as a keris learning center for visitors.

 

Pasar Gede

 

 

Pasar Gede Hardjonagoro is Thomas Karten`s masterpiece functioned market which sells various food supplier, interesting architecture to deceive the tropical chilate, unified with the city`s arrangement tand building which express Indisch specific character.

 

 

Masjid Agung Kraton Surakarta

 

 

The great mosque of Surakarta is the biggest and the sacred mosque Surakarta. It was established around 1727 en the initiative of Paku Buwono X. This mosque has classical Javanese and is located in Westside of Surakarta`s town square.

 

 

Radya Pustaka Museum

 

 

Radya Pustaka Museum is a museum in Surakarta, Indonesia. Established in 1890, it is the second oldest museum in Indonesia (the oldest being the National Museum of Indonesia in Jakarta). The museum kept various literature in Old Javanese and Dutch languages. The museum is located within the park complex of Taman Sriwedari.

 

The museum was established by Kanjeng Adipati Sosriningrat IV during the governorship of Pakubuwono IX on October 28, 1890. On 1913, the museum was moved to its present location, formerly the residence of a Dutchman Johannes Busselaar.

 

 

Attraction

 

Solo Batik Carnival

 

 

Celebrating the splendors of  authentic Indonesian traditional art on textile, Solo Batik Carnival feature some of the best innovative works presented by Solo’s finest Batik artisans. The carnival will not only present a glamorous and exquisite fashion show, but it will also involve some beautiful choreography and theatrical performances.

The art of Batik is inseparable from Javanese culture. Symbolizing grace and precision in its creation, the intricate fabric of Batik itself is the epitome of Javanese elegance, harmony, balance and philosophy.

 

Solo International Performing Art

 

 

It’s an international event of performing arts starting from Solo to all over the nation and penetrating into around the world. The event gives the spirit of togetherness from Solo, mainly to show the world that every substance can be the spirit of performing arts.

 

There are art group communities of dances, theaters, and music from around the world on the stage. There will be more than 10,000 spectators or more during the performing art as another performance during the events.

 

 

Sepur Kluthuk Jaladara

 

 

Sepur Kluthuk Jaladara is a series of train tours. The locomotive was made by Maschinenbau Chemitz Germany in 1896, while the carriage was made with teak wood main raw material in 1906.

 

The name Jaladara train comes from the heritage propery that was awarded to the god Krishna to be the vehicle used by combat crime. By using Klutuk Jaladara trains expexted to train this tour will gave you happiness, prosperity and transporting passagners safely.

 

 

Werkudara Bus

 

 

Double decker bus that owned by the city of Solo hat got an award from MURI (Indonesian Record Museum). The existence if double-decker tour bus name it Werkudara, its the first double decker tour bus made in Indonesia.

 

The name Werkudara taken from a puppet character who has a sturdy body and height, Raden Werkudara or Bima. It was the second son of Kundi and Kind Pandu Dewanata.

 

 

Kirab Pusaka Kedhaton

 

 

Kirab Pusaka Kedhaton is a traditional ceremony held by Surakarta Palaca and Pura Mangukenagaran to celebrate Javanesse new year, Aysura 1. This process show the heirlooms of both palaces that is brought by royal servants wearing palace`s traditional dressing.

 

The ceremony started at 19.000 at Pura Mangkunegaran and continue at the middle of the night to Surakarta Palace. To celebarate Asyura 1, the visitor can see the exhibition of all museum collection from around Indonesia held in Surakarta Palace Exihibition.

 

 

Grebeg Mulud

 

 

This event is the peak of “Sekaten Event”. Kasunanan Palace produces Gunungan, a procession of local agricultural products and traditional food. All them are brought and prayed at Great Mosque Surakarta before shared to the visitor.

 

Culinary

 

Srabi Notosuman

 

 

This food is made of rice flour which is processed and cooked become srabi, that become one of the most signature of solo culinary. The serabi from Solo are traditional with a little bit half cooked with thin crispy crust and watery center with rich coconut milk taste. Famous serabi variant from Solo is called serabi notosuman.

 

Today there are large variants of serabi toppings; from simple sprinkle of sugar, grated coconut flesh, sprinkles of coarsely ground peanuts, slices of banana or jackfruit, chocolate sprinkles and others.

 

 

Timlo Solo

 

 

Timlo taste like soup, but the content and the taste is specially different. It consist of flour noodle slices, mushrooms, carrots, snow peas, inocarpus, blossoms / javanese sausage and finally splash with warm sauce.

 

 

Nasi Liwet

 

 

Its a succulent rice dish cooked in coconut milk, chicken broth and spices, from Solo Indonesia. Common steamed rice is usually cooked in water, but nasi liwet is rice cooked in coconut milk, chicken broth, salam leaves and lemongrass, thus giving the rice a rich, aromatic and succulent taste.

 

In Solo, nasi liwet is usually eaten for breakfast, but also a popular choice for lunch or supper. In Keprabon subdistrict, Surakarta, nasi liwet is only served for supper at the nighttime.