Prambanan
The absolutely stunning temple complex of Prambanan was constructed in the 8th century and is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia. It is also one of the largest in Southeast Asia, behind only Angkor Wat. The three main temples tower up to 47 metres high, making them even taller than the famous temples of Borobudur. In total, the complex originally consisted of around 240 temples.
Much of the Prambanan complex still lies in ruins, largely as a result of several major earthquakes over the centuries. The main temples have been rebuilt, but restoration of the smaller temples is ongoing.
The construction of the original temples was incredible. No mortar or steel rods were used. Instead, each piece of stone was carefully carved to fit perfectly into place.
Due to a lack of funding, only a limited number of teams of builders and archaeologists are able to work on the restoration at any one time, making the process painstakingly slow. It is estimated that work on the entire complex could take more than 200 years to complete.
It’s fairly easy to get to Prambanan from Yogyakarta. I hired a Gojek, which dropped me off at the ticket entrance. I then returned to Yogyakarta by train.
Borobudur
Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world and one of Indonesia’s most famous landmarks. If you’re visiting Central Java — and particularly Yogyakarta — it’s difficult to ignore. And rightly so.
Constructed in the 8th century, Borobudur is a vast monument covering approximately 2,500 square metres. The temple has nine levels, rises to around 35 metres and contains an incredible 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues.
Borobudur was lost to the outside world sometime around the 10th century. There are several theories as to why, but it is believed that volcanic activity from Gunung Merapi may have played a part. Subsequent eruptions and the relocation of the Mataram Kingdom to East Java left the area — and Borobudur — abandoned.
It was finally rediscovered in 1814, when Thomas Stamford Raffles sent a party into the jungle to investigate rumours of a lost religious monument.
Over the years, several restoration projects were attempted, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that major restoration work was undertaken. Borobudur was eventually granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1991.
It’s obviously possible to visit Borobudur on an organised tour, but I chose to get there independently. This was a little more challenging!
From the centre of Yogyakarta, you first need to get to Terminal Jombor bus station. From there, you can take a bus towards Borobudur and get off at the junction for the temple. It’s then around a 15-minute drive to the temple complex. Small vans run the route, and it’s simply a case of flagging one down and telling the driver where you want to go.
Getting back to Yogyakarta is simply the reverse of this journey.
The entrance fee structure is a little complex. If you’re visiting, you really want to be able to climb the temple itself. Numbers are restricted, so it’s best to buy your ticket online at GOERS before you visit, particularly during busy periods such as the morning and late afternoon. It’s not the easiest website to navigate, so double-check that everything is correct before paying. The site accepts credit cards.
