Pura Mangkunegaran, also known as Purå Mangkunagaran in Javanese, serves as the official palace of the Mangkunegaran Duchy and the residence of the Mangkunegaran Dukes. Situated in Surakarta, the palace was initially constructed in 1757 by Mangkunegara I, following the model of a royal palace.
Architecturally, the complex structure of the building resembles a royal palace, featuring various sections such as pamédan, pendapa, pringgitan, dalem, and keputrèn. The entire complex is surrounded by walls, with only the pamédan section being enclosed by an iron fence.
The construction of Pura Mangkunegaran took place after the signing of the Salatiga Agreement, which marked the establishment of the Mangkunegaran Duchy by a group consisting of Raden Mas Said, Prince Mangkubumi (Sultan Hamengkubuwana I), Sunan Pakubuwana III, and the VOC in 1757. Raden Mas Said, also known as Pangeran Sambernyawa, was appointed as the "Prince Duke" with the title of Mangkunegara I. Like the main buildings in the Surakarta and Yogyakarta Palaces, Pura Mangkunegaran underwent several changes, including the incorporation of popular European decorations of that era.
Architectural
The Pura Mangkunegaran was constructed using a combination of Javanese and Empire architectural styles. The Empire style originated from France and was prevalent from the 18th to the 19th century. It was introduced to the Dutch East Indies in the early 19th century and continued to develop throughout the 20th century.
The influence of European architecture can be observed in various aspects of the Pura Mangkunegaran. Firstly, the presence of gables and dormers can be seen throughout the entire structure. Gables are roof structures composed of two opposing sloping planes, while dormers are windows or vents that are integrated into the roof. Additionally, the use of polygonal roof structures can be found in the Pringgitan and Pracimayasa wings. Furthermore, colonial-style iron columns were utilized as additional supports for the front roofs in all parts of the Pura Mangkunegaran.
The incorporation of decorative ornaments commonly found in European-style buildings, such as angel reliefs, stained glass windows, chandeliers, and European-inspired embellishments, further exemplifies the European architectural influence. Lastly, the main building is oriented towards a spacious courtyard, while the supporting structures face the main building, allowing the king to directly oversee the work of his employees.
Meanwhile, the Javanese architecture in Pura Mangkunegaran can be observed from several aspects. Firstly, the use of Javanese architectural ornaments, such as the shape of the roof, saka pillars, and Javanese decorative motifs. Secondly, the implementation of the aling-aling concept, which serves as a barrier to prevent outsiders from directly seeing the interior of Pura Mangkunegaran. Thirdly, the utilization of Javanese cosmology in the physical structure of Pura Mangkunegaran. The main building of Pura Mangkunegaran, located at the core, depicts its position as the center of the mandala. The orientation of Pura Mangkunegaran facing south, which is associated with Ratu Kidul as the ruler of the South Sea, symbolizes the palace's connection with the spiritual entities.
This relationship serves two functions, namely as a form of political legitimacy and a request for non-physical protection. Fourthly, the spatial division within Pura Mangkunegaran is based on Javanese architecture. In Javanese architecture, the division of space in a house is based on the level of privacy. The deeper the room, the higher the level of privacy. The spatial division in Pura Mangkunegaran is divided into three sections: Pendhapa Ageng and the office building, which can be visited by ordinary people, then there is Pringgitan, which can only be visited by guests, and Dalem Ageng, which can only be entered by the Mangkunegara family and abdi dalem.
In the context of Pura Mangkunegaran, the Javanese architecture is evident in various aspects. Firstly, the incorporation of Javanese architectural elements, such as the distinctive roof design, saka pillars, and Javanese decorative motifs. Secondly, the implementation of the aling-aling concept, which acts as a physical barrier to restrict direct visibility into the inner sanctum of Pura Mangkunegaran. Thirdly, the integration of Javanese cosmology into the physical layout of Pura Mangkunegaran. The positioning of the main building at the core signifies its significance as the central point of the mandala. Moreover, the south-facing orientation of Pura Mangkunegaran, associated with the ruler of the South Sea, Ratu Kidul, symbolizes the palace's spiritual connection.