ratu boko temple

Royal View

On a hillside plateau, overlooking Prambanan temple complex and with a view to Mount Merapi behind Prambanan Temple complex, lie the remains of a once grand palace. The palace (kraton) is named Ratu Boko after a King Boko of local folklore, but the real owner of the palace is more likely to have been a king of a local dynasty. The position gives a view worthy of royalty, but in addition, it is possible that the location was chosen for strategic reasons, as the structures also show signs of being fortified, and a dry moat was used for additional security. Grand stone gates, built on two levels, are the largest and most often photographed structures of the site, it is clear that these lead to what was once a settlement, which sets Ratu Boko apart from the other archeological sites in Central Java which are entirely religious in nature.

The hilltop plateau is divided into terraces that are separated by stone walls and stone faced fortifications. The main residence is thought to have been built on a set of stone foundations with a timber structure for pillars and roof. The timber elements are no longer in place, but the stone base shows the scale of the residence. Throughout the area you can find small Hindu and Buddhist temples and structures, a fountain adorned bathing area, bath house, a crematorium, multiple caves, an area used as a public hall. In 1790 the Dutchman Van Boeckholtz found ruins, and over time research was done, and by 1838 the Dutch commenced restoration work. In 1952 the Indonesian government took the reigns, and has continued work since then. Ratu Boko is atop a hill, and a system of drainage trenches and water storage ponds was developed to maintain water supply.

The folklore of Loro Djonggrang

This story connects the Ratu Boko Palace with the Prambanan and Sewu temple complex. The name of King Boko comes from Javanese Folklore, in which King Boko was the father of Loro Djonggrang. A prince named Bandung desperately wanted Loro Djonggang to marry him and she refused, as she he had killed her father. He insisted, and she finally agreed on one condition. He must build

1000 temples in one night. Prince Bandung summoned up spirits to help him, and close to dawn, much to the dismay of Loro Djonggrang they had completed the 999th temple. Loro Djonggrang ordered all of the servants to light a large fire, and begin pounding rice. The roosters were fooled into thinking it was dawn and began to crow, the spirits fled, and the final temple was left unbuilt. Prince Bandung was furious and turned Loro Djonggrang into stone, representing the final temple. According to the traditions, she is the image of Durga in the north cell of the Shiva temple at Prambanan, which is also known as Loro Jonggrang or the Slender Virgin.

Getting there and getting in

::Ratu Boko is located 3km south of the Prambanan complex and east of Yogyakarta, off the road to Solo