Yogyakarta is one of the most densely populated areas of Indonesia, lying at the epicenter of the fertile crescent of rice lands that is overshadowed to the north by the aptly named “Fire Mountain” (2914 meter-high active volcano, Mt. Merapi) and bordered to the south by the churning Indian Ocean. The graceful old city of Yogyakarta is, with Solo, one of only two traditional court centers remaining in Java’s ancient hinterland. Yogyakarta (Yogya), traditionally known as Mataram, came into being in 1755, when a land dispute split the power of Mataram into the Sultanates of Yogyakarta and Surakarta (Solo). Prince Mangkubumi built Kraton of Yogyakarta and created one of the most powerful Javanese states ever. The Kraton is still the hub of Yogyakarta’s traditional life and despite the advances of the 20th century; it still radiates the spirit of refinement which has been the hallmark of its art and people for centuries.

Yogyakarta is one of the supreme cultural centers of Java. Full Gamelan orchestras keep alive the rhythms the past, classical Javanese dances entrance with visions of beauty and poise, shadows come to life in the stories of the wayang kulit and a myriad of traditional visual art forms keep locals and visitors alike spellbound. Yogya has an extraordinary life force and charm which seldom fails to captivate.

The Yogyakarta area has been continuously settled for at least two millennia. The earliest-known kingdom is mentioned on a stone linggam dating from AD 732 and discovered at Canggal, just north of the present-day Yogyakarta. It describes a just and peaceful Sivaite king, Sanjaya, whose descendants ruled the area up until the early 10th century AD. A Mahayana Buddhist dynasty known as Sailendra at this time also occupied the same region, and between them these families left a series of inspiring statements in stone – including the world heritage monuments of Borobudur and Prambanan.