Batik Museum: Imogiri, Central Java

Imogiri is a royal graveyard complex in Yogyakarta as well as a modern village located near the graveyard in the regency of Bantul. Imogiri is also the traditional resting place for the royalty of central Java, including many rulers of the Sultanate of Mataram and of the current houses of Surakarta and Yogyakarta. Nearby in Ketandan village is the Imogiri Batik Museum. Unfortunately the museum was badly damaged in the devastating earthquake of May 27, 2006. But the good news is that it has reopened.

The museum occupies Joglo Cipto Wening; a 200-year-old Joglo-style traditional Javanese building. Joglo Cipto Wening was officially opened for the first time on March 18, 2004, also by Sultan Hamengkubuwono X.

The museum also serves as a meeting point for artisans and visiting batik lovers and collectors. The museum aims to preserve the tradition of batik production in villages and is home to nearly 90 batik artisans. Many believe batik has been produced by local artisans in Imogiri since as early as 1632, when Sultan Agung Hanyokrokusumo of the Mataram Kingdom constructed a royal cemetery in the area. Of some 350 batik pieces the museum originally possessed, only around 80 are still part of its collection.

Imogiri has long been known as the center of hand-made batik in Yogyakarta. Batik is also produced in several neighboring villages of Imogiri, including Ketandan, Giriloyo and Wukirsari. Residents in most of these villages are batik artisans.