Goa Selarong Yogyakarta

Selarong Cave was a history witness of the Prince Diponegoro and his army’s struggle which was used as headquarters of guerrilla against the Dutch colonialism. From this cave area, Prince Diponegoro arranged and discussed tactics with his followers to attack the Dutch. During placed Selarong Cave, Prince Diponegoro and his army had been attacked three times by the Dutch, on July 25, October 3 and October 4, 1825. The war was known as the Java War that took place for five years, from 1825 to 1830.

Prince Diponegoro (1785 - 1855) was the eldest son of Sultan Hamengkubowono III (1769-1814). Prince Diponegoro didn’t have ambition to become a king and would prefer to live close to the people and stay in the village of Tegal Rejo. Because the Dutch besieged on July 20, 1825 in Tegal Rejo village, so his followers and him together retreated to the Selarong Cave.

Location

Selarong Cave is located in hamlet Kembang Putihan, Village Guwosari, Pajangan, Bantul, about 14 km southside of Yogyakarta city. To go there, you should be based on the intersection of Dongkelan (south ring road - jl Bantul). Choose the road to the south until about 2 km, then you will find the gate of Kasongan tourism village. Go to the westside through the gate until 3-4 km to the intersection of Guwosari / Pajangan.

Selarong Cave is located on the fresh limestone mountain chain because it’s grown by shady trees. In this Selarong Cave tourism complex there are a number of attractions you can enjoying. Once you come into this tourism area, you will see a wide court which is also used as a parking area. At here you will also find a statue of Prince Diponegoro on a horse and also a map of the tourism location.

To reach at Selarong Cave, there is a path about 200 meters you must pass until you find an intersection. Turn right side to reach Selarong Cave, while turn left to reach at two spring/ naturally pond. There are several local fruit seller selling some Selarong special fruit.

The way to reach Selarong Cave starts by steping a numbers of sheering staircase. After reaching the top of the stairs, you'll find two small caves on the right and left of the stairs. The right side one is Putri Cave. Putri means princess. It was a rest place for Raden Ayu Ratnaningsih, wife of Prince Diponegoro. While the left side one is Kakung Cave or means cave for man. It was the resting place of Prince Diponegoro. These two caves are small size, with height and depth of the cave about 1.5 meters. Putri Cave’s width is longer than Kakung Cave, that is about three meters. While Kakung Cave’s width is about two meters. Still in the courts of these two caves, you can also see the view from a viewing post or to see a waterfall in the area.

Beside visiting the caves, you can also visit a natural pond named Sendang Manik Maya. To go this spring, you must pass a small bridge over a dry river, which function as pipe for water from waterfall when rainy season come. You also have to walk through the path about 100 meters to get to the spring. This spring is believed to be the eternal spring that was used by Prince Diponegoro and his followers for bathing and purification. Not far from Spring (sendang) Manik Maya, there is one other spring known as Sendang Umbul Mulya. This spring is used for cooking and washing.

Selarong Cave is also known as an religious tourism object. Visitor for religious purpose usually hold meditation rituals in Selarong Cave. Selarong Cave is also become a place of cultural tourism. Every year in July at Selarong Cave is held Grebeg Gua Selarong event to memorized the Prince Diponegoro immigrating to Selarong Cave as well as the anniversary of Bantul Regency.

Ticket

To enter this Selarong Cave tourism area, you will be charged Rp. 2.000,- per head. Furthermore, you can enjoy this beautiful tourism area without pay for anything, such as doing photography.

Facility :

- parking area

- public toilet

- worship place

- playing arena

- viewing post

-rest place terrace

-camping ground