The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its Historic Landmarks
The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its Historic Landmarks
The central axis of Yogyakarta was established in the 18th century by Sultan Mangkubumi, and has continued from that time as a centre of government and Javanese cultural traditions. The six kilometre north-south axis is positioned to link Mount Merapi and the Indian Ocean, with the Kraton (palace) at its centre, and key cultural monuments lining the axis to the north and south that are connected through rituals. It embodies key beliefs about the cosmos in Javanese culture, including the marking of the cycles of life.Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0
L’axe cosmologique de Yogyakarta et ses monuments historiques emblématiques
L’axe central de Yogyakarta a été créé au XVIIIe siècle par le sultan Mangkubumi et s’est maintenu depuis lors en tant que centre du gouvernement et des traditions culturelles javanaises. L’axe nord-sud de six kilomètres de long est disposé de manière à relier le mont Merapi et l’océan Indien, avec le Kraton (palais) en son centre, et il est bordé au nord et au sud par d’importants monuments emblématiques qui sont liés par des rituels. Il représente les principales croyances cosmologiques de la culture javanaise, y compris le marquage des cycles de la vie.Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0
المحور الكوني ليوجياكارتا ومعالمه التاريخية
نشأ السلطان مانجكوبومي محور يوغياكارتا المركزي في القرن الثامن عشر، ولم يفتأ المحور منذ ذلك الحين يعتبر بمثابة مركز للحكومة والتقاليد الثقافية الجاوية. يربط هذا المحور، الممتد على طول ستة كيلومترات من الشمال إلى الجنوب، جبل ميرابي والمحيط الهندي، بقصر "كراتون" في مركزه، فضلاً عن المعالم الثقافية الرئيسية المحاذية للمحور من الشمال والجنوب والموحدة من خلال الطقوس والشعائر. يجسد المحور أبرز معتقدات الثقافة الجاوية عن الكون، بما في ذلك تحديد دورات الحياة.
source: UNESCO/CPE
Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0
日惹的宇宙中轴线及其历史地标
日惹（Yogyakarta）的中心轴线由哈孟库布沃诺一世苏丹于18世纪划定，自此一直作为政府和爪哇文化传统的中心之一。这条南北走向、全长6公里的轴线以克拉顿（皇宫）为中心，连接起默拉皮火山和印度洋，沿线分布着多个重要文化古迹。轴线体现了爪哇文化中与宇宙有关的核心信仰，包括对生命周期的理解。
source: UNESCO/CPE
Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0
Космологическая ось Джокьякарты и ее исторические достопримечательности
Центральная ось Джокьякарты была основана в XVIII веке Шри Султаном Хаменгку Бувоно I и с тех пор является центром государственного управления и яванских культурных традиций. С тех пор она остается центром государственного управления и яванских культурных традиций. Шестикилометровая ось, проходящая с севера на юг, соединяет гору Мерапи и Индийский океан. В ее центре находится дворец Кратон, а на севере и юге вдоль оси расположены ключевые памятники культуры, связанные между собой общими ритуалами. Она воплощает ключевые представления о космосе в яванской культуре, включая обозначение жизненных циклов.
source: UNESCO/CPE
Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0
El eje cosmológico de Yogyakarta y sus monumentos históricos
El eje central de Yogyakarta fue establecido en el siglo XVIII por el Sri sultán Hamengku Buwono, y ha continuado desde entonces como centro del gobierno y de las tradiciones culturales javanesas. Este eje norte-sur de seis kilómetros conecta el monte Merapi y el océano Índico con el Kraton (palacio), situado en el centro, y varios monumentos culturales clave al norte y al sur, que están vinculados entre sí por rituales. El sitio encarna creencias clave sobre el cosmos en la cultura javanesa, incluyendo la marcación de los ciclos de la vida.
source: UNESCO/CPE
Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0
Outstanding Universal Value
Brief synthesis
The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its Historic Landmarks includes the Kraton (Palace) Complex and a series of linked landmarks, monuments and spaces located along a six-kilometre-long south-north axis in central Yogyakarta. The property is an exceptional testimony to Javanese civilisation and culture, and exhibits an important interchange between diverse belief systems and values.
The orientation of the axis and the placement of the landmarks along its length were designed to manifest in physical form the Javanese philosophical thoughts on human life, especially the cycle of life (Sangkan Paraning Dumadi), ideal harmonious life (Hamemayu Hayuning Bawana), the connection between human beings and the Creator (Manunggaling Kawula Gusti), and the microcosmic and macrocosmic worlds. The landmarks are connected spatially, in their design, through rituals, and by the traditional management system of the Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat known as Tata Rakiting Wewangunan. The axis is aligned between Mount Merapi, considered the abode of Guardian Spirits, and the Indian Ocean, regarded as the home of the Queen of the Southern Sea, reflected in the shape and meaning of the northernmost and southernmost monuments that define the axis.
The location of the Kraton and the city were chosen by the Sultan Mangkubumi in 1755 to conform to Javanese cosmological beliefs, where the capital of the Kingdom is considered to be a miniature of the universe following the Hindu-Buddhist concepts of the physical, metaphysical and spiritual universes. These concepts pre-date the property itself, shaped through the history of Java since before the 1st century CE.
The attributes of the property have been identified and include both tangible and intangible aspects. The latter include cultural heritage practices relating to the cycle of life (birth, marriage and death), venerating ancestors, coronations, funerals, Islamic days, the connection of the natural and macrocosmic microcosmic worlds, and day to day offerings.
Criterion (ii): The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its Historic Landmarks exhibits an important interchange of human values and ideas between different belief systems related to Javanese animism and ancestor worship, Hinduism and Buddhism from India, Sufi Islam from either India or the Middle East, and Western influences, which were adapted and integrated into the beliefs and culture of the Mataram Kingdoms over hundreds of years. This important and complex interchange of values is demonstrated by the tangible and intangible attributes of the cultural ensemble evident in the property’s spatial planning, architecture and monuments, as well as ceremonies and festivals.
Criterion (iii): The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its Historic Landmarks bears an exceptional testimony to Javanese civilisation and living cultural traditions after the 16th century. The Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat remains the centre for Javanese civilisation and its maintenance and development through the cultural traditions and practices including governance, customary law (paugeran), arts, literature, festivals, and ceremonies. The property is associated with Javanese rituals relating to the cycle of life, venerating ancestors, coronations and royal occasions, Islamic days, and connection with the forces of nature. The Tata Rakiting Wewangunan concept has its origins in Mataram Royal courts since the 16th century and refers to the holistic management of the tangible and intangible aspects of the Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, including the uses of space along the axis and in the Kraton Complex.
Integrity
The property includes all of the tangible and intangible attributes necessary to express its Outstanding Universal Value. Most of the attributes are in a good state of conservation, and actions have been implemented to address continuing pressures including urban development and tourism infrastructure. In the past, damage has occurred through earthquakes, wars and inappropriate urban development, particularly high-rise buildings, including hotels along the Northern Axis. Informal settlements along parts of the Kraton outer walls have also impacted on the condition of the property, and a voluntary scheme to support relocation of the residents has been established.
Authenticity
The authenticity of the attributes of Outstanding Universal Value of the property is satisfactory through their form and design, materials, uses, traditions and management system, location and setting, intangible heritage, and spirit and feeling. Many repairs and modifications have occurred through time, and some reconstructions have occurred in response to damage caused by the 1867 and 2006 earthquakes, and the Beringharjo Market was rebuilt as an Art Deco concrete structure in the 1920s. The approach to maintenance and conservation are appropriate to sustain the authenticity, although greater caution with the use of non-traditional materials is needed. The traditional management in place for this property is an added support to sustaining the authenticity.
Protection and management requirements
The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its Historic Landmarks is protected at the national level according to Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 11 of 2010 concerning Cultural Property. Based on this law, the Ministry of Education and Culture has designated the Kraton and its surrounding area as a National Cultural Property Area (Decree of the Minister of Education and Culture No. 117 of 2018) and as National Cultural Property.
At the regional level, the Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta has designated the property, buffer zone and wider setting as a Provincial Cultural Heritage Area. A heritage impact assessment mechanism has operated at the property since 2012 and has been further strengthened through the regional law and guidelines on heritage impact assessments which was legally adopted in 2022. The Special Provincial Regulation No. 5 of 2019 concerning Spatial Land-use Plan for 2019-2039 provides additional protection for the property, and regulates the height, location, and density of buildings.
The property is also protected through traditional and modern management systems, under the overall coordination of the Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta Management Unit. The Management Unit has a dedicated staff and budget and is responsible for the implementation of the Management Plan. The Unit also coordinates all stakeholders including the local Community Working Groups.
The Joint Secretariat for the Management of the Sultanate is chaired by the Sultan of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat who is also the Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta and is responsible for the overall strategic management of the property. All key government agencies responsible for the management of the property are included.
The Sultanate of the Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat implements the Tata Rakiting Wewangunan traditional management system through an administrative structure called Tata Rakiting Paprentahan. This is led by the Sultan and consists of units run by the Abdi Dalem (Royal Courtiers). The Kraton is managed under this system.
