Kotabaru, Yogyakarta

Explore Remaining Colonial Heritage of Yogyakarta

Located in the east side of Yogyakarta Train Station, Kotabaru is a unique part of Yogyakarta City. This area has several important buildings that are still maintain its Dutch architecture, which are stand firmly with harmony in this city. 

..............................................................

Yogyakarta City history cannot be separated from Dutch influence on it. Dutch not only influences the political condition in Yogyakarta Sultanate, but also influence condition of social, economy and culture on the Yogyakarta city in the past. One of Dutch influenced heritages that are still exist today in the city is Kotabaru area.  

Kotabaru is an area in Yogyakarta that has high Dutch influence on it. It has several historical buildings which are still maintain its European architecture style. This area was projected as the alternative resident area for Dutch and European people that lived in Yogyakarta at that time. It was planned and conceptualized followed the model of European cities in that time.

The establishment of Kotabaru was caused by the development of Yogyakarta City in the early of 20th century. At that time, after Dutch initiated sugar factory production and developed business in Yogyakarta, there was European flow to the city. This make the city need a new residential area for them, it was because Loji Kecil that located near Yogyakarta Palace cannot accommodate the increase of Dutch and European that lived in the city. 

Kotabaru area concept was highly influenced by cities in Europe. It has radial layout patterns that imitate from the city pattern in Dutch. It was quite different with Yogyakarta city pattern in that time, which was still based on wind direction layout pattern. It was planned to be a garden city that has various plants which were planted on the roadside and boulevard. The area was also designed with complete facilities on it, there were several important office building and facilities: such as: schools, hospital and churches.

Today's, Kotabaru is part of modern Yogyakarta city and become one of the important city part. In this area, there are some important offices building that based on it, those are such as: Telecommunication Office, Yogyakarta City Tourism Office, Schools, Kridosono Sport Centre, and other private institution office. With those important buildings situated on this area, it makes this area become one of the busiest area in Yogyakarta.

Although has been develop to be a modern area, there are still some Dutch influence on that can be seen in Kotabaru. Some of the buildings in the area still maintain and well preserve its European architecture with good building condition. Even though some of buildings has been changed its function, but those buildings are still well-preserved, so it's not lost its identity. The area also not get much of change from its original layout design, it's still be a unique city part of Yogyakarta.

There are several interesting buildings that can be seen in Kotabaru area. Firstly, there is Saint Antonius Church, this church has European architecture and located just after Syuhada Mosque. There is also Bimo building that has art deco architecture and has unique curve roof. There are several schools that still maintain the original architecture, those schools are such as: SMA Negeri 3 Yogyakarta, SMA BOPKRI 1 Yogyakarta and SMP Negeri 5 Yogyakarta. There are also buildings that have historical story on it such as: Yogyakarta Tourism Office, Brigade General Katamso House and Jiwasraya Insurance Office.

There are many choices about how to enjoy your time in Kotabaru. Walking or cycling around is good alternative to see and explore the area. You also can spend your time by visiting some cafes and art galleries that spread on the area. It will be nice experiences to feel this historical city part of Yogyakarta that still exist in harmony.