Ullen Sentalu is where you learn about Javanese art and culture

Ullen Sentalu is the best private museum of Javanese art and culture in Indonesia. I like it so much that I have visited three times! Opened in 1997, it displays relics and artefacts from royal houses and kratons of Java’s 4 Kingdoms – Yogyakarta, Pakualam, Surakarta, and Mangkunegaran.

 

Ullen Sentalu is an abbreviation of ‘Ulating blencong sejatine tataraning lumaku’, which when translated in Javanese means the lights that are used when performing shadow puppets are human instructions in walking and pursuing life. All visitors must join a guided tour and taking photos inside this museum is strictly prohibited. I totally agree with the terms because it means less distractions. 

 

The building was designed specifically to integrate with the corresponding exhibitions. There are rooms located above a pond, inside a cave, and in the courtyard, and the architecture blends in with nature using andesite stones.

 

The museum showcases collections of paintings, photographs, textiles, statues, old letters, and many more. Each collection is ‘brought to life’ by factual and mythological narratives that contain values and culture therein – it is only in this museum that I can understand the greatness of Javanese heritage!

 

The building was designed specifically to integrate with the corresponding exhibitions. There are rooms located above a pond, inside a cave, and in the courtyard, and the architecture blends in with nature using andesite stones. The museum showcases collections of paintings, photographs, textiles, statues, old letters, and many more. Each collection is ‘brought to life’ by factual and mythological narratives that contain values and culture therein – it is only in this museum that I can understand the greatness of Javanese heritage!