During my visit to Jogjakarta, close to the Royal Palace within the area known as the Kraton (a grand complex that was meticulously planned to reflect the Javanese cosmos.). I visited the Royal Carriage museum.
There are a variety of the carriages. In Museum Kereta Keraton Yogyakarta, around 23 carriages.
The rooms of the museum which are actually quite huge, become a little bit narrow because of the big royal carriages.
Every single carriage in the museum has a name and on the wall next to it, a picture that shows the time when the carriage in use.
Not only that, the costumes which were used by the coachmen of Keraton also have been neatly organized in big old cupboards. Not far from those cupboards, there’s also a horse sculpture which is fully-equipped with carriage-pulling equipment. so you get a really good idea of how it would have looked during ceremonial times/use.
In the center of the building, are two large rooms, which houses at least eight other carriages , all placed differently because of their greater size.
Among them, there is Garuda Yeksa Kareta which is decorated with 18 carats of gold and was made by the Dutch in 1861. This carriage which is usually pulled by 8 white horses, has been used since Sri Sultan HB VI’s inauguration up until now.
Then, there is also Kyai Roto Praloyo Kareta which is a carriage that used to carry Keraton’s noble remains to the funeral.
A really stunning collection of Royal vehicles, that was lovely to see up close.
Journeys From A Small Room 