The oldest mosque
In the Yogyakarta area.
Fandy Aprianto Rohman — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Arry gunawan — CC BY-SA 4.0
The oldest mosque in the Yogyakarta area, built in the late sixteenth century in Kotagede, the first capital of the Islamic Mataram sultanate that ruled Java, on the orders of its founder Panembahan Senopati. It carries the marks of Java's transition from Hinduism to Islam, with a red-brick gateway in the style of old temples. The mosque has a tiered Javanese roof and wooden pillars, surrounded by old brick walls and a shady yard. Behind it is the royal cemetery of Mataram's first sultans, Senopati among them, visited in traditional Javanese dress at set times. There is also an old water basin where, by local tradition, a yellow turtle is kept. Entry to the mosque is free. Non-Muslims visit outside prayer times in modest dress. Visiting the cemetery has special dress rules on set days. Combine it with a walk through old Kotagede, famous for silver workshops, traditional houses and narrow lanes. Come in the morning.
In the Yogyakarta area.
Old temple style.
The royal cemetery.
Kotagede, south-east Yogyakarta
Because the mosque was built during the transition to Islam, and builders used the style familiar to them, a hallmark of Java's early mosques.