A grave without a headstone, a mosque as a legacy, and collections of manuscripts or depictions of Garuda give Sewon a distinctive cultural profile. Local themes range from memories associated with the origins of the area to its historical use during the Mataram Sultanate. Further afield, visitors can also find a traditional Javanese house and an archaeological site. Sewon is also part of the broader destination of Bantul, whose other cultural sites have different points of focus.
Places of Remembrance and Historical Connections in Sewon
The tomb of Syeh Sewu is considered the origin of the hamlet and, later, Sewon district. It is still cared for and well preserved, and has no headstone. Masjid Syeh Sewu mosque is a legacy of Syeh Sewu in Sewon that has survived to this day. Both names point to the local connection with Syeh Sewu, while Panggung Krapyak offers a different historical perspective.
Panggung Krapyak served the kings of the Mataram Sultanate as a hunting lookout, particularly for deer. Sewon therefore brings together different historical connections: the tradition associated with the area’s origins and the former role of a lookout in the Sultanate’s sphere of influence. Those interested in history can consider these themes as different ways of understanding the area, without combining them into a single narrative.
Collections and Cultural Sites in the Surrounding Area
The library at Museum Budaya Tembi holds up to 5,000 manuscripts. Museum Rumah Garuda has around 300 depictions of Garuda. The two collections have different points of focus: manuscripts on the one hand, and depictions of the Garuda figure on the other. The figures indicate the size of each collection; the number for Rumah Garuda is approximate.
The Tembi Cultural House, also known as Museum Jawa, is located in the hamlet of Tembi in Timbulharjo, Sewon, in the surrounding area. It is a traditional Javanese house with objects from the everyday lives of traditional Javanese people. Situs Karanggede is also nearby, in Ngireng-lreng, Panggungharjo. A Yoni was found there on a mound covered in vegetation. The structure has a foundation of unhewn stones and brick walls.
These places also differ in their subject matter: manuscripts and depictions of Garuda sit alongside a traditional house and the described features of Situs Karanggede. This makes it possible to explore the region according to your interests in collections, everyday objects, or architectural and archaeological features.
Bantul as a Broader Travel Destination
The broader destination of Bantul has other historical sites. Goa Selarong served as a refuge for Pangeran Diponegoro and his followers during the guerrilla war against the Dutch from 1825 to 1830. Makam Imogiri was built by Sultan Agung between 1632 and 1640. It is the burial site of the kings of Mataram and Surakarta and their families; it is located in Dusun Pajimatan, Kalurahan Girirejo, Kecamatan Imogiri, Kabupaten Bantul.
Museum Sejarah Purbakala Pleret is also part of this broader regional context. It stands on the site of the former Mataram Islamic Palace complex within the Kerta-Plered Cultural Heritage Area. The museum is located on Jalan Raya Pleret in Kapanewon Pleret, Bantul, and officially opened to the public on March 10, 2014.
Bantul also offers a variety of crafts. At Desa Wisata Krebet in Dusun Krebet, Kelurahan Sendangsari, Kecamatan Pajangan, batik is made on wood rather than fabric. Visitors can learn about the craft in galleries or through the tourism village administration. Desa Wisata Wukirsari in Bantul is known as a center for traditional hand-drawn batik and wayang kulit crafts. Kasongan in Desa Bangunjiwo, Kecamatan Kasihan, is a center for pottery. Bantul therefore brings together wood batik, hand-drawn batik, wayang kulit crafts, and pottery as distinct cultural highlights.
Choose a Focus for Your Trip
Discover more destinations: Magelang, Bantul, Pleret, Tegal, Temon, Pakem, Triharjo, Depok
View the broader travel guide: Yogyakarta.
