Keraton Surakarta

Keraton Surakarta Hadiningrat is the royal palace of the Surakarta Sunanate located in Baluwarti, Pasar Kliwon, Surakarta, Central Java. Established in 1744-1745 by Susuhunan Pakubuwono II after the move from Kartasura, it serves as a cultural center and museum of Javanese heritage. The complex features Javanese and European architecture, courtyards, pavilions, and collections of royal heirlooms, artifacts, and carriages reflecting centuries of Javanese court tradition.

Visitors can expect a large walled palace complex with traditional Javanese courtyards, pendopo pavilions, and museum galleries. The site displays royal heirlooms, antique carriages, weapons, textiles, and photographs documenting the Surakarta Sunanate. Guided tours lead through outer courtyards and museum buildings while inner private quarters remain restricted. The surroundings include the northern and southern alun-alun squares, Baluwarti settlement walls, and nearby traditional markets.

Founded in 1744-1745 by Susuhunan Pakubuwono II who moved the Mataram court from Kartasura after the Geger Pecinan upheaval. It became the seat of the Surakarta Sunanate, one of the successor states of the Mataram Sultanate following the Treaty of Giyanti in 1755. The palace has remained the residence of the Susuhunan and a center of Javanese court history.

Serves as a living center of Javanese court culture, preserving traditions of batik, gamelan, dance, wayang and royal ceremonies. The palace maintains customary rituals, heirloom processions and cultural performances that reflect Surakarta's role as a custodian of Javanese heritage and etiquette.