If you are easily awed by ruins, a history buff like me, then just add this to your itinerary in Kota Gede. It won't take too much of your time to see this mosque.
The entrance of the mosque was like an entrance to a candi or Hindu temple. Imagine what it had witnessed over hundreds of years. The walls in the mosque's courtyard still has carvings of hinduism, which makes it unique.
Do read up on it before visiting as there aren't much info on it. Go to yogyes.com to find out more.
The mosque proper is mostly of Javanese architecture, limasan type wooden framework and grounds encircled by old moss covered brickwalls reminiscent of a hindu structure.
Its hidden inside a bigger segregated walled complex enclosing the royal mataram tombs and baths where tourists will inevitably visit collectively.
An unassuming appearance in a quiet old neighbourhood.
As a muslim, we were looking forward to see the oldest mosque in Yogyakarta. However, it was a total let down. The mosque though clean and quiet, doesnt have much information of its background. Although it still maintained the earliest structural facade and beautiful wooden carvings, other than that, it does not surface has any tourist attraction. You will find many villagers loitering around, smoking and watching cock fighting.
The entrace fee is abt 10000 rp per vehicle. But i thing that it is something that u can miss going if you are non muslim.
