If you’re willing to head about 40 minutes out of the city center, you’ll discover Ullen Sentalu Museum. This enchanting place sits quietly in a forest and is often called one of Indonesia’s best museums. It’s known for bringing Javanese royalty and culture to life. There’s a certain magic to this place that goes way beyond the exhibits. Ready to see what makes it so special?
Table of Contents
History of Ullen Sentalu Museum
The story of Ullen Sentalu begins in the mid-1990s. The museum was initiated by the Haryono family, who wished to preserve the noble and royal relics of Java. The museum officially opened on March 1, 1997. It is now managed by the Ulating Blencong Foundation.`
Ullen Sentalu is an acronym derived from Old Javanese: Ulating Blencong Sejatine Tataraning Lumaku. This phrase signifies that “the light of the lamp is the true measure of our path or journey.” The “blencong” refers to a lamp used in wayang (shadow puppet) performances; it symbolizes illumination, wisdom, and guidance.
From the entrance, you’ll notice that Ullen Sentalu’s architecture and layout are imbued with deep symbolism. The underground passages represent hidden dimensions of the soul, and the winding corridors reflect life’s unpredictability. The space culminates in beautiful gardens designed to reconnect the spirit with nature.
The museum has really come into its own over the years. Today, its collection encompasses works of poetry, traditional paintings, ceremonial textiles, ritual objects, historical photographs, and items associated with the fascinating stories of Java’s four royal houses.
Type of Tour in Ullen Sentalu Museum
To make sure you get the most out of your visit, every guest is accompanied by a guided tour. These usually last about 45 minutes to an hour and depart in small groups throughout the day. They offer a few different tour packages depending on what you’re interested in:
1. Adiluhung Mataram
Adiluhung Mataram is the most popular tour, and you can have it for IDR 50,000. You’ll walk through rooms such as “Guwa Sela Giri”, “Kampung Kambang”, and explore batik, photographs, poetry, royal heirlooms, and paintings from the four palaces. It emphasizes classical Javanese high culture (Adiluhung) and the royal lifestyle of Mataram.Â
2. Vorstenlanden Tour
“Vorstenlanden” is a Dutch-era term referring to the princely states in Java. By paying IDR 100,000, you explore the evolution of the royal courts under colonial influence. The route starts via a back courtyard (Pelataran Tawang Turgo), passes statues, reliefs, and hidden buildings, and then leads into a “gallery of the universe” (Djagad Gallery) with maps, portraits, and royal narratives. You will also see comparisons between palace wedding dress, rituals, and royal symbolism.
3. Skriptorium
The Skriptorium tour showcases a massive collection of research scripts compiled over 8 years. It’s an incredible journey through time that shows how the ancestors of Indonesia built legendary kingdoms. Tracing the history all the way from the Syailendra dynasty to the rise of Mataram.
How to Get to Ullen Sentalu Museum
Ullen Sentalu Museum is located at Jl. Boyong KM 25, Kaliurang, Sleman, Yogyakarta. It opens Tuesday to Friday from 8.30 AM to 4 PM, and on weekends until 5 PM, while Mondays are closed. The last tour or ticket sale ends about 30 minutes before closing. From Yogyakarta city center, visitors can reach it by private car or online taxi apps like Gojek or Grab, taking around 30 to 45 minutes. Follow Instagram @ullensentalu for more updates.