at 9/14/2016

Ratu Boko

Web Admin 9/14/2016

Ratu Boko is an archaeological site known to modern Javanese as Kraton Ratu Boko or Ratu Boko's Palace. Ratu Boko is located on a plateau, about three kilometres south of Lara Jonggrang Prambanan temple complex in Yogyakarta Indonesia. The original name of this site is still unclear, however the local inhabitants named this site after King Boko, the legendary king mentioned in Loro Jonggrang folklore. In Javanese, Ratu Boko means "Stork King".

The site covers 16 hectares in two hamlets (Dawung and Sambireja) of the village of Bokoharjo and Prambanan, Sleman Regency. In striking contrast to other Classic-period sites in Central Java and Yogyakarta, which are remains of temples, Ratu Boko displays attributes of an occupation or settlement site, although its precise function is unknown. Probably the site was a palace complex which belonged to the kings of Sailendra or Mataram Kingdom that also built temples scattered across the Prambanan Plain. The argument was based on the fact that this complex was not a temple nor building with religious nature, but a fortified palace instead which evidence of a remnant of fortified walls and the dry moat of defensive structures. The remains of settlements also founds in Ratu Boko vicinity.

This site is located 196 m above the sea level, on the highest point in the site, there is a small pavilion from which one will be able to see a panoramic view of Prambanan temple with Mount Merapi as the background.

What reviewers think...

Here is more like a garden rather than historical place. Big area here you can enjoy the view of Jogjakarta city from the top. If you come here after 3:30pm, you are fixed to "enjoy" their sunset ticket. Although the restaurant seems nice, but you have no choice to pay less for without sunset (by Brett Kwong).

Cool place, make sure to snap some photos here! But prepare yourself with sunglasses, umbrellas, hats, and sunblock if you don't want to get burnt. Recommendation: buy a package of Candi Prambanan entry + Ratu Boko entry + two-way shuttle of Prambanan-Ratu Boko that costs IDR 50.000/person, so you don't have to search for cabs to go here :) (by Monika Ardine).

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