Taman Sari

Taman Sari also known as Taman Sari Water Castle is a site of a former royal garden of the Sultanate of Yogyakarta. It is located about 2 km south within the grounds of the Kraton, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Built in mid 18th century, the Taman Sari had multiple functions, such as a resting area, a workshop, a meditation area, a defense area, and a hiding place.

Taman Sari consists of four distinct areas: a large artificial lake with islands and pavilions located in the west, a bathing complex in the centre, a complex of pavilions and pools in the south, and a smaller lake in the east. Today only the central bathing complex is well preserved, while the other areas have been largely occupied by the Kampung Taman settlement.

Since 1995 the Yogyakarta Palace Complex including Taman Sari is listed as a tentative World Heritage Site.

The name of Taman Sari comes from the Javanese words taman, means a "garden" or "park" and sari, which means "beautiful" or "flowers". Hence, the name Taman Sari means an area of a beautiful garden adorned with flowers. An old article describes it as a "water castle" (Dutch: waterkasteel); as by shutting the watergates, the complex would be completely immersed in water, leaving tall structures standing out.

The building of Taman Sari is commenced during the reign of Sultan Hamengkubuwono I (1755–1792), the first sultan of theYogyakarta Sultanate, and is completed by the time of Sultan Hamengkubuwono II. The building site, however, has already been known as a bathing place called Pacethokan Spring since Sunan Amangkurat IV’s reign (1719–1726). According to Kitab Mamana in Yogyakarta Pallace, the project leader for the construction of Taman Sari is Tumenggung Mangundipura. He has travelled twice to Batavia (now it is called as Jakarta) to learn about European architecture, which is the reason why the architecture of Taman Sari has marks of European style. The Regent of Madiun, Raden Rangga Prawirasentika, is participated in funding the construction of Taman Sari. Prawirasentika also beseeches the Sultan to be relieved of Madiun's tax obligation. He offers other alternative ways of payment. The Sultan accepts his proposal. In 1758, the Sultan commands the Regent to supervise the making of bricks and various complements, which will be funcioned to build a beautiful garden. The sultan wants a place where he can spend some time to relax, after many years of wars that he has just experienced. Raden Tumenggung Mangundipura, under supervision of Raden Arya Natakusuma (who later becomes Sri Pakualam II), is responsible for the construction. The building is started in 1684, Javanese year (1758 AD). After finding out how large the complex is, Raden Rangga Prawirasentika realizes that the cost will have been greater than the taxes. He resigns from the project and is replaced by Prince Natakusuma who continues the project to completion.

Taman Sari was built three years after the Giyanti Agreement as a resting place for Sultan Hamengkubuwono I. The complex consists of about 59 buildings including a mosque, meditation chambers, swimming pools, and a series of 18 water gardens and pavilions surrounded by artificial lakes. The complex was effectively used between 1765–1812.

The British invasion of the Yogyakarta Kraton saw considerable parts of the complex destroyed in 1812.

            The building of Taman Sari ends upon the completion of the gates and the walls. A sengkalan memet (a Javanese chronogram) on the western gate (Gedhong Gapura Hageng) marks the year with the Javanese words Lajering Kembang Sinesep Peksi, denoting the Javanese year of 1691 or about 1765: lajering, "core" for 1; kembang, "flower" for 9; sinerep, "suck" or "drink" for 6; peksi, "bird" for 1; the sentence can be read as "birds gathering pollen of the flower". The relief around this sengkalan memet shows birds siphoning honey from flowery trees.

The maintenance of Taman Sari was abandoned shortly after Hamengkubuwono I died, partly because the elaborate hydraulic works were so difficult to maintain. The gardens were neglected and the buildings suffered some damage during the Java War of 1825–1830.

The palace complex fell out of use following an earthquake in 1867, which is destroyed several buildings and drained the water features. Over time, squatters began to inhabit the site, surrounding the ruins of the deserted pavilions and filling the empty lakebeds.

In early 1970s, effort at restoration was made. Only the bathing complex has been completely restored.

Demang Tegis

The manuscript of Serat Rerenggan mentions the story of Demang Tegis, a Portuguese man said to be one of the architect of Taman Sari. According to the manuscript, a strange man suddenly appeared in Mancingan Village (a locality name on the south coast of Java near Parangtritis). With long nose, white complexion, and a foreign language, the villagers suspected that the person was some kind of spirit or forest fairy. They presented him to the current sultan, Hamengkubuwono II. Apparently the sultan found interest in the person and took the strange man as his servant. Some years had passed and the man had finally learned to talk in Javanese. According to him, he was a Portuguese (or in Javanese, Portegis) who was stranded from a shipwreck. He also claimed to have been a housebuilder, so the sultan ordered him to erect a fortress. Satisfied by the man’s work, the sultan gave him the title "demang." From then on that person was known as Demang Portegis or Demang Tegis.

There is a controversy whether Demang Tegis was actually the architect of Taman Sari, as the design resembles a hybrid of Javanese and Dutch styles, rather than Portuguese. P.J. Veth, in Java – Book III, page 631 wrote, "Local research says that [Taman Sari’s architecture] was designed by either a Spanish or Portuguese engineer, who was stranded off his sunken ship at the southern beach. However, [the architecture] that strongly shows Javanese character contradicts this." The evidence about Demang Tegis remains an inconclusive, yet the architecture of Taman Sari moved a number of Portuguese experts on architecture and cultural heritage to examine the Taman Sari in 2001.

The widespread assumption of European influence in the design of Taman Sari has been also challenged by the research of Hélène Njoto-Feillard from the University of Pantheon-Sorbonne, presented in a 2003 conference paper. Analysing the historic context and architectural style of the complex, the conclusion is that the creators are most likely local Javanese. The absence of any mention of European involvement in the construction of Taman Sari in Dutch historic descriptions is presented as further evidence in support of this hypothesis.

Buildings

Taman Sari can be divided into four areas. The first area is the artificial lake Segaran located in the west. The second area is a bathing complex in the south of the Segaran lake, called the Umbul Binangun bathing complex. The third area, now completely gone, is the Pasarean Ledok Sari and Garjitawati Pool, located in the south of the bathing complex. The fourth area is the east side of the first and second area, which extend far to the east and to the southeast complex of Magangan.

The Segaran Lake Area

The Segaran lake area is the main complex of the Taman Sari during its era. This complex consists of a man-made lake called Segaran ("artificial sea") with some buildings located on artificial islands in the middle of a lake. The buildings are connected by an underwater tunnel. It was used as the starting point for the royal family to reach the Taman Sari pools via a vessel. Today, the Segaran lake can not be seen any longer as the water had been drained and the lake bed is now filled with human settlements. The underwater tunnel, which is now underground after the water had gone, still exist and can be accessed.

In the middle of Segaran was an artificial island known as Kenongo Island (Javanese Pulo Kenongo). It is named after thecananga trees which once covered the island. On this island is a one-storeyed structure called the Kenongo building (Javanese Gedhong Kenongo), now in ruins.

On the south side of Kenongo Island is a row of small buildings called the Tajug. These buildings are originally used as air vents for the tunnel located below the lake. This underground tunnel, constructed in 1761, is an alternative way to reach the Kenongo Island other than by a vessel. Also on the south side of the Kenongo Island is another artificial island called Cemethi Island (Javanese Pulo Cemethi) or Panembung Island (Javanese Pulo Panembung). It is a one-storeyed structure for the Sultan to meditate, or some say, a hiding place for the royal family during an attack. Another name for this island is Sumur Gumantung, because on the south side of this island is a well that hangs above the ground. This place can only be reached via the underwater tunnel. The building of Cemethi Island is now also in ruin. A legend says that there is a secret tunnel that connects the palace with the south sea (Indian Ocean) where Nyai Roro Kidul or the Queen of the South has her palace. The supernatural Queen becomes the spiritual wife of Yogyakarta Sultan for many generations.

On the west side of Kenongo Island is another one-storeyed circular structure that forms another artificial island in the past called Gumuling Well (Sumur Gumuling). These one-storeyed building can only be entered via the underwater tunnel. The building was used as a mosque. A niche in the wall of this building was used as a mihrab. The central area of this building is an elevated platform where four staircases meet, and then from the platform, one staircase reach the first floor. On the ground level of this platform is a small pool that was used for Muslim ritual ablution.

The Bathing Complex

The second area is located on the south of the former artificial lake of Segaran. Even though this area was not the focal point of Taman Sari, it is the best preseved area in the complex and is currently the most popular tourist attraction. The area is accessed via two gates on the east and the west side, each of these gates leads to the center of the complex, first to an inner octogonal-shaped courtyard on the east and the west, and then each of these courtyards leads to a central bathing complex in the center.

The Gates

There are two gates that lead to the bathing complex, the western one called Gedhong Gapura Hageng and the eastern one called Gedhong Gapura Panggung. Both gates are decorated with ornaments of stylized birds and flowering foliages.

The west entrance, the Gedhong Gapura Hageng was formerly used as the main entrance to the bathing complex. The east facade of the gate is still visible today, but the west facade is blocked by settlements. The construction of this gate was finished in 1691 Javanese Year (about 1765 AD). The east entrance, the Gedhong Gapura Panggung is still functioning as a gate and is now the main entrance for tourists. The east entrance is a building with four staircases, two on the west side and two on the eastside. Four nagas once decorated this gate, now there are only two nagas left. The building was finished in 1684 Javanese calendar (about 1758 AD).

The octagonal courtyars

Each of the gates leads to an octagonal-shaped courtyard. The western gate leads to a western octagonal-shaped enclosed courtyard. In the past, a building stood in the center of this courtyard, which was called the Lopak-lopak building (Javanese Gedhong Lopak-lopak).

The eastern gate leads to an octagonal-shaped enclosed courtyard as well. It has a similar layout with the Gedhong Lopak-lopak courtyard, but within it, there are four pavilions known as Gedhong Sekawan. These pavilions were used as the resting place for the royal family.

The eastern and the western octagonal courtyards lead to the central bathing complex.

Umbul pasiraman bathing complex

Umbul Pasiraman, also known as Umbul Binangun or Umbul Winangun, is a bathing complex for the royal family. The bathing complex is an enclosed space surrounded by tall structures. It consists of three pools decorated with mushroom-shaped springs and large flower pots.

There are two buildings in the bathing complex. The northernmost building was used as the resting place and changing room for the daughters and concubines of the sultan. On the south side of this building is a pool known as Umbul Muncar. The pool is divided into two by a central pathway (known as Blumbang Kuras) that runs east-west. The next building on the south is a building with a tower in its center. The right wing of the building was used as the sultan's changing room, the east wing was used as his resting place. The central tower was used by the sultan to observe his daughters and concubines bathing in the pool.

On the south of this building is the third pool that was used only by the sultan and his concubines. During its era, only females and the sultan were allowed to enter this bathing complex.

Gedhong Temanten

On the southeast and northeast of the Gedhong Gapuro Panggung are two buildings known as Gedhong Temanten. The buildings were formerly used by the castle guard. According to archeological study, on the south side of this building was another building and a garden whose remain cannot be seen anymore and is filled with settlements.

The Third Area

This area that is located south of the bathing complex, but no visible remains are left. According to a reconstruction of the site, this complex consisted of the complex of Pasarean Dalem Ledok Sari and the pool complex of Garjitawati with several pavilions and a garden.Pasarean Dalem Ledok Sari is the only part of the complex that is still protected. Pasarean Dalem Ledok Sari was probably used as a meditation place for the sultan, or some said as the meeting place for the sultan and his concubines. In the middle of the building was also a sleeping room for the sultan with water flowing beneath it. There was also a kitchen, a looming room, a storage, two pools for the servants, and a garden. 

The Fourth Area

The fourth complex is the part of the Taman Sari complex that is practically has no visible remains, except for a former hanging bridge and remains of a pier. The description of this area is retrieved from a reconstruction made from the 1812 English army sketch of the Yogyakarta kraton. This area extends about 600 meters to the east of the Segaran lake area. This area consisted of another artificial lake on the southeast of the Magangan complex toward the northeast of Siti Hinggil Kidul complex. In the middle of this artificial lake is another artificial island called Kinupeng Island (Javanese Pulo Kinupeng). A building, known as Gading building (Javanese Gedhong Gading) stood in the middle of the island.

This artificial lake is connected to the east side of the Segaran Lake via a 380 meter long canal that runs east to west. The canal was about 20 meter wide and there are two bottlenecks that are thought to be the place where a hanging bridge once stood. One of the bridge is now located in the street that connects the kraton complex of Magangan with the Kamandhungan Kidul. The layout of the bridge can still be recognized, although the bridge itself has gone. On the west side of the hanging bridge is a pier that was used by the sultan as his starting point for his journey to the Taman Sari pool on his royal vessel.

 The canal is bounded on the south and north with a garden, now located on the west side of the kraton complex of Kamanghungan Kidul and Siti Hinggil Kidul. Today, all of these canals, bridges, lakes, and gardens have been filled with local settlements; the garden becomes the Kampung Ngadisuryan, the lake becomes the kampung Segaran.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taman_Sari_(Yogyakarta)

Museum Vredeburg

Museum Vredeburg is a fort that is located in street A. Yani in front of the Magestic building and imperial palace of yogyakarta. Nowadays, this fort becomes a museum which consists of the history of dutch colonization. The fort is built as the central goverment and resident dutch defense that time. The fort is surrounded by a moat which most of the marks has been reconstructed and can be seen up to now. This square fort also has tower monitor on the four coeners.

Vredeburg is built closely associated with the birth of Yogyakarta Sultanate. The Agreement of Giyanti on 13^rd February 1755 succeeds finishing the completion between Susuhunan Pakubuwono III and prince Mangkubumi. It is the result of Dutch politics that always wants to interfere the internal affairs of javenese kingdoms that time.

Knowing the rapid development of the palace that is built by the Lane I, the netherlands feel worried and start proposing the Sultan to establish the fort which is close to the palace. The establishment is the pretext so that The Netherlands can protect environment around the palace. However, behind it all, actually The Netherlands want to know and control the development that happens in the palace. The location of the fort is only one cannon shot further from the palace and its location faces the main street through the palace. It becomes the indication that the purpose of that fort is to make a strategy, intimidation, and blockade. It can be said that the purpose of the building is to watch the sultan anytime he turns his face against the dutch.

Year 1760-1765

Before the fort is built on the present location, in 1760 on the request of Netherland, Sultan Hamengkubuwono I has built a square fort which is very simple. At the four corners, there are four secures name seleka or bastion, Jayawisesa (northwest corner), Jayapurusa (northeast corner), Jayaprakosaningprang (southwest corner), and Jayaprayitna (the southeast corner).

According to Nicolas Hartingh, the state of the fort was very modest. The wall was made ​​of soil and reinforced by wood and coconut palm trees as a buffer. Inside the building, it  consists of bamboo and wood with thatched roofs. When W.H Ossenberch replaces the position of Nicolas Hartingh in 1765, he proposes Sultan that the fort should be strengthen by a permanent building to ensure the progress. The proposal then is granted, the establishment is done under the supervision of the dutch architectural named Ir. Frans Haak. At the begining of the constructuion in 1760, the status of the land is owned by the sultanate, however, in the use of it, the land is given to the Dutch as a present under the supervision of Nicolas Harthingh, governor of the Director of the North Coast of Java, Semarang.

Year 1765-1788

W.H. Van Ossenberg’s proposal, which says that the fort is made to be refined, is fulfilled in 1767. This period is a refinement in a more targeted Citadel on one form stronghold. Based on the plan, the construction will be finish later bthat year, however, the process runs slow and finishes in 1787. It happens because the Sultan who holds this progress is very busy in establishing the palace of Yogyakarta. After it is finished, the fort is named Rustendurg which has a meaning “the bastion of rest”.

In this period, the formal judicial status of the land still belongs to the Sultanate but the de facto, the control of the castle and the land are held by the Dutch.

Year 1788-1799

This period, it is the time that the fort is used by the Netherland in maximum way. The bankruptcy of VOC in 1799 led to the mastery of the fort is taken over by Bataafsche Republic (Dutch Government). So that the de facto government-owned Dutch kingdom. During this period, the status of the formal judicial fort still belongs to the Sultanate, the de facto controlled by the Dutch.

Year 1799-1807

The Status of formal judicial fortress land still belongs to the Sultanate, but the use of the castle belongs de facto Bataafsche Republic (Dutch Government) under the Governor Van Den Burg. The fort still serves as the headquarters of defense.

Year 1807-1811

In this period, the fort is taken over by the management of the Royal Holland (the Netherlands). The formal judicial status of the land still belongs to the Sultanate, but the de facto becomes the property of the Royal Netherlands Government under the Governor of Herman Willem Daendels.

Year 1811-1816

When the British comes to power Indonesia in 1811 - 1816, the fort is controlled by england under the supervision of Lieutenant Governor Thomas Stamford Raffles. But in a short time the Dutch can take over. The formal judicial fort still belongs to the Sultanate.

Year 1816-1942

In 1867, earthquake happens in Yogyakarta that destroys many big buildings such as Resident Building that is built in 1824, Pal White Memorial, and Fort Rustenburg and other buildings. Soon the buildings are rebuilt. The rustenburg then is replaced with Vredeburg which means peace fort, the name is taken as a manifestation of the relationship between the Sultanate of Yogyakarta and the Dutch, because there is no assault between each other.

The shape of the fort remains as the begining construction. At the four corners are built secure spaces called seleka or bastion. The gate which faces west surrounded by a moat. Inside the building, it consists of the officers’ houses, soldiers dormitory, warehouse logistics, warehouse gunpowder, soldiers hospital and home resident. In Vredeburg, it is housed about 500 soldiers, including medics and paramedics. Besides it, during the reign of the Dutch East Indies, it is used for the protection of the residents who are on duty in Yogyakarta. It is very possible because the office of the resident which is opposed to the location of Vredeburg. In line with the political development in Indonesia that occurs from time to time, then there is also a change of the status of ownership structure and the of function Vredeburg.

The status of the fort remains to the Sultanate, but the de facto, it remains to the Dutch. It is because of the big relationship between them, the sultanate can not do further in owning the fort, until the japanese army troops occupied the fort in 1942 after the Dutch surrendes to the Japanese to be marked with Kalijati Agreement in March 1942 in West Java.

Japanese Period

On 7^th march 1942, Japanese goverment impsoses the Act No. 1 of 1942 that the regional leadership position continues to be recognized but is under the supervision of Kooti Zium Tjokan Kyoku (Japan governor) with offices in Building Tjokan Kantai (the Great building). Japanese military power center is placed beside Kotabaru and also centered in Vredeburg. The Japanese troops stationed in Vredeburg Kempetai are the army who are famous with their truculently. Besides it, Vredeburg fort is also used as a place of detention for prisoners of the Dutch and Indo Dutch who are captured. Also the Indonesian politicians that are successfully captured because they are supposed holding a maneuver against Japan.

            In order to fulfill the need of weapons, the japanese soldiers brings the weapons from semarang. Before they disribute the weapons, the soldiers put the weapons inside the Vredeburg. The ammunition dump located at each corner of the fort except in the northeast corner. It is by the consideration that the region's security is guaranteed. Placing ammunition dump in every corner of the fort is intended to ease the army when the war suddenly happens.

Japanese mastery over Vredeburg lasted from 1942 until 1945, when the proclamation is reverberated and the nationalization of the buildings occupied by the Japan began to be fulfilled. During that period, although the de facto is controlled by the japanese but the formal judicial status of the land still belongs to the Sultanate.

From the description, it can be said that during the Japanese occupation (1942-1945) the building is functioned as a fortress Vredeburg Kempeitei army headquarters, ammunition warehouses and prisons for the Dutch and Indo Dutch and Indonesian politicians who oppose Japan.

Independence period

Year 1945-1970s

The news of the proclamation of Indonesia's independence is greeted with relief by all the people of Yogyakarta. Added with the release statement lane IX (Statement of 5^th September 1945) followed by Sri Paku Alam VIII which contains much support for the establishment of a new country, the Republic of Indonesia, the spirit of the people are getting more excited.

As a result, there are many spontaneous actions, like raising the flag, the seizure of the building as well as Japan's disarmament. The strong Japanese troops are still in Yogyakarta, causing the violent clashes as happened in Kotabaru, Yogyakarta. In the action of deprivation building or other facility owned by Japanese, Vredeburg is also one of the targets.

After the fort is occupied by the RI (Republic of Indonesia), for further treatment is given to the military institution. It is then used as a dormitory and headquarters troops who are joined in the squad by code staff "Q" under the Lieutenant Commander Young I Radio, who is in charge of military supplies. Therefore, it is not impossible that this period of Vredeburg also serves as the headquarters as well as warehouse supplies including weapons, ammunition, and so forth. In 1946 in the complex hospital Vredeburg is established to serve the victims of the fighting troops. Also the progress of the hospital also serve the soldiers and their families.

In 1946, the political situation in Indonesia is experiencing insecurity when the different perception of the meaning of the revolution is happening. It is erupted event known as "The events of July 3^rd, 1946", the attempt of coup led by Maj. Gen. Soedarsono. Due to these efforts fail then the characters involved in the incident as Mohammad Yamin, Tan Malaka and Soedarsono are arrested as the political prisoners, they are ever placed in Vredeburg.

During the Dutch Military Aggression II (December 19, 1948) Vredeburg which is used as a military headquarters RI becomes a target of bombing planes of  Netherlands. The Offices of society's Security Army is destroyed. After mastering the airfield of Maguwo, the dutch soldiers who join the Brigade led by Colonel Van Langen T managed to control the city of Yogyakarta, including Vredeburg. Furthermore Vredeburg is used as the headquarters of the Dutch army who join the IVG (informatie voor Geheimen), the secret service of the Dutch army. In addition Vredeburgis  also functioned as a dormitory and the dutch soldiers also use it to store heavy weapons such as tanks, armored cars and other military vehicles.

When a General Offensive March 1^st, 1949, as an effort to demonstrate that the world that Indonesia is still there along with the military, Vredeburg is the  one of the targets of the other buildings controlled by the Dutch as a post office, railway station, Hotel Toegoe, The Great Building, and barracks of Kotabaru. About 6 six hours Yogyakarta can be mastered by military fighters and their attendants. After the Dutch army reinforcements are brought from Magelang come to Yogyakarta, the military and the people retreat to the countryside and do the guerrilla struggle.

After the Dutch leaves the city of Yogyakarta, Vredeburg is controlled by APRI (Armed Forces of the Republic of Indonesia). Then, the management is handed over to the Military Academy fort Yogyakarta. At that time, Ki Hajar Dewantara never takes his idea that Vredeburg is used as a cultural event. But the idea is stalled due to the events of "national tragedy" Rebellion G 30 S / PKI 1965. At that time temporarily Vredeburg which is used as a place of political prisoners associated with the events of the G 30 S / PKI is directly under the control of Defence.

The plan about preservation Vredeburg is started more evident after 1976. It is held the fort building feasibility study conducted by the Institute for Rural and Regional Studies at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta. After the research, the effort toward restoration Vredeburg former is about to begin.

Year 1977-1992

In this period, the status of the control and management of the fort HANKAM is never submitted to the Regional Government of Yogyakarta. The signing of a treaty on the use of former Vredeburg by Sri Sultan HB IX (part I) and Mendibud Dr. Daoed Joesoef (part II) is held on August 9^th, 1980. In this period Vredeburg has been used as a venue for art Jamboree (26^th to 28^th August 1978), Education and training Dodiklat Police. Also it has been used as a garrison headquarters and the headquarters of the Army 072 Battalion 403. In addition, the  formal judicial status of the land still belongs to the Sultanate. By the consideration of Vredeburg former building consists of great significance. So the  former of Vredeburg is defined as objects of cultural heritage by the Decree of the Minister of Education and Culture No. 0224/U/1981.

On the use of the building Vredeburg, it is confirmed again by Prof. Dr. Nugroho Notosusanto (Mendikbud RI) on 5^th November 1984 who says that the former building Vredeburg will be functioned as a national struggle museum managed by the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia.

Charter agreement and letter lane IX No. 359/HB/85 on 16^th April 1985 states that the changes to the layout of the buildings within the fort complex Vredeburg is permitted in accordance with the requirements as a museum. For further, it is conducted a restoration of the former fort and later converted into a museum. In 1987 the museum has been able to be visited by the public.

Year 1992-present

Through Decree RI Education Minister Prof. Dr. Fuad Hasan 0475/O/1992 on 23^rd November 1992, it is officially that Vredeburg is a special Museum of National Resistance under the name Fortress Museum of Yogyakarta.

To improve the function of the museum, this museum gets overflow to manage Struggle Museum of Yogyakarta in Brontokusuman as the state museum of DIY Sonobudoyo. Based on the Decree of the Minister of Culture and Tourism No. KM 48/OT.001/MKP/2003 on December 5^th, 2003, Museum Vredeburg Yogyakarta is the Technical Unit based on the Ministry of Culture and History and Antiquities Deputy.

Furthermore, according to the Decree of the Minister of Culture and Tourism Number: KM 48/OT.001/MKP/2003 on December 5^th, 2003 Museum Vredeburg Yogyakarta has its position, the main duty and function are as a special museum which is a technical Unit based at the Ministry of Culture and History and Antiquities Deputy in charge of implementing the collection, maintenance, preservation, research, presentation, publication of research results and provide guidance regarding educational cultural and historical objects the struggle of Indonesia in Yogyakarta.

Source: http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_Benteng_Vredeburg#Pranala_luar