Kraton (Indonesia)
Kraton or keraton is a type of royal palace in Java, Indonesia. Its name is derived from the Javanese ka-ratu-an meaning residence of the ratu, the traditional honorific title for a monarch. In Java, the palace of a prince is called pura or dalem, while the general word for palace is istana, which is identical to Malay.
Specific palaces
Kratons, or keratons, that function as the residence of a royal family include:;Yogyakarta region:
- Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat.
- Pura Pakualaman.
- Kraton Surakarta Hadiningrat.
- Pura Mangkunegaran.
- Kraton Kasepuhan.
- Kraton Kanoman.
- Kraton Kacirebonan.
- Kraton Kaprabonan .
Historical palaces
- Kraton Ratu Boko in the east of Yogyakarta, in the Prambanan area. The structure dates from the 9th century and is thought to belong to the Sailendra or Mataram Kingdom. However, local inhabitants named this site after King Boko, the legendary king in Roro Jonggrang folklore.
- Kraton of Majapahit in Trowulan, Mojokerto, the capital of the former Majapahit. Sites such as Pendopo Agung Majapahit are thought to be remnants of the Kraton of Majapahit.
- Kraton Surosowan, Banten, the former royal palace of the Sultanate of Banten.
- Kraton Kaibon, the former palace of Queen Mother.
- Kota Gede remains of a palace from the 16th century.
- Karta and Plered remains of palaces from the 17th century.
- Kraton Kartasura on the outskirts of Surakarta remains of palace and city wall, also dated from the 17th century.
Metonymic use
This is especially the case for native Indonesian states where the succession is disputed, giving issue to two or more branches of the dynasty, or even rival dynasties, each setting up an alternative court while competing for the same state, but generally only controlling part of it.
An example is the West-Javan state of Cirebon, which was founded in 1478 and since 1662 was ruled from three Kraton :
- Kraton Kasepuhan, using as the ruler's style Sultan
- Kraton Kanoman, style Sultan
- Kraton Kacirebonan, style Sultan