A star fort
Walls and moat.
Unknown authorUnknown author — Public domain · Igornababan — CC BY-SA 4.0 · businesssolo — CC BY 3.0
An eighteenth-century Dutch fort at the heart of Solo, built near the sultan's palace to watch it and control the town, with red-brick walls ringed by a moat and star-shaped corner bastions. It was a symbol of colonial power over the Surakarta kingdom, and the Indonesian army used it after independence. Today its walls and gates remain, while the inside is a broad lawn used for concerts, festivals and exhibitions, such as the Solo International Performing Arts festival. Around it run a main avenue and other colonial buildings, including the old central bank. Viewing it from outside is free; the inside opens at times or only for events. It is a short stop on the walk between the sultan's palace and Pasar Gede, loveliest at sunset or on festival nights. Ask about events during your visit.
Walls and moat.
Watching the palace.
Concerts and fairs.
Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, central Solo
Great Mosque of SurakartaThe royal mosque of the Surakarta sultanate, built by Sultan Pakubuwono III in t7 minutes walk
Pasar Klewer Batik MarketSolo's largest batik and textile market and one of Indonesia's biggest, a multi-8 minutes walk
Kasunanan Palace of SurakartaThe palace of the sultans of Surakarta, founded by Sultan Pakubuwono II in 1745 9 minutes walk
Pura Mangkunegaran PalaceSolo's second palace, seat of the Mangkunegara princes since the mid-eighteenth 14 minutes walk
House of Danar HadiA batik museum in an elegant old mansion on the main Slamet Riyadi avenue, found21 minutes walkNot always: the inside usually opens for events. The walls and gates can be seen from outside at any time.