Mosque Kotagede, The Oldest Mosque in Yogyakarta

Wandering into Kotagede would not be complete if not visited the Mosque Kotagede, the building of the oldest Islamic place of worship in Yogyakarta. The building is a place that often only be passed when the tourists were heading cemetery king of Mataram, but the charm of the building is not less interesting. Sure, there are many stories that exist in every device in the mosque who stood around in the 1640s this.
Before entering the mosque complex, there is a banyan tree which is said to have hundreds of years old. The tree grows in a location that is now used for parking. Due to old age, the locals call it "Wringin Sepuh" and consider it bring blessings. One's desire, according to the story, will be met if not imprisoned under the tree to get two leaves fall, one face down and one more outstretched.
Walking closer to the mosque complex, there is an arch-shaped paduraksa. Just at the front gate, there is an L-shaped wall On the wall was carved some images which is a symbol of the kingdom. Paduraksa shape and the wall it is a form of tolerance L Sultan Agung on the residents who helped build the mosque that is still embraced Hinduism and Buddhism.
Entering the courtyard, there is an inscription that is green. Inscription bertinggi 3 meters it is a sign that Pakubowono been renovated this mosque. The bottom of the inscription of a square and at the peak there is a crown emblem Kasunanan Surakarta. A clock is placed on the south side of the inscription as a reference time of the prayer.
The existence of the inscription was proved that the mosque Kotagede experienced two stages of development. The first stage which was built during Sultan Agung only is the core of building a small mosque. Because of his small mosque used to be called Break. The second building was built by the king Kasunanan Surakarta, Pakubuwono X. The difference of the mosque built by Sultan Agung and Pakubowono X is on its pillar. Section noble Sultan built wooden poles while the poles are built Pakubowono made of iron.
Building core mosque is a building shaped Limasan Java. Characteristics can be seen in pyramid-shaped roof and the room is divided into two, namely the core and the porch.
A moat that surrounds the mosque will be found before entering the main building of the mosque. The trench was in the past used as a drainage channel after the water used wudlu north of the mosque. Now, local residents by installing porcelain repair trench at the base of the trench and use it as a place to keep the fish. To facilitate residents who want to worship, built a small bridge made of wood arranged rows.
On the outside of the core of the mosque there are old drum adjacent to the gong. Bedug whose age is not less old mosque was a gift from someone named Nyai Pringgit Dondong originating from the village, the area in Kulon Progo Regency. For his services to give drum, the descendants of Nyai Pringgit given the right to occupy the area around the mosque, later named Dondongan. While the drum gift, up to now still sounded as a marker of prayer time.
A pulpit to preach that is made of beautifully carved wood materials can be found on the inside of the mosque, next to the imam leading the prayer. The chancel was also a gift. When Sultan Agung perform the pilgrimage, he stopped by to Kilkenny to see one of the duke in that place. As an appreciation, duke of Kilkenny gave the pulpit. The chancel is now rarely used because it purposely kept from being damaged. As a substitute for the pulpit, a local resident uses a small podium for the benefit of daily worship.
Walking around the courtyard, will be found a difference in the wall surrounding the mosque building. The wall section consists of brick left a larger, more red color, and there are stones like marble on the surface Java script is written. While another wall has a brick-colored slightly younger, smaller size, and plain. The wall that is on the left the mosque that was built during the great Sultan, while another wall is the result of renovation Pakubowono X. The wall that was built during the great Sultan sugar palm water adhesive that can help so much stronger.
The mosque which has hundreds of years old He still looks alive. Local people still use it as a place to carry out religious activities. When prayer time comes when, will see dozens of pilgrimage. Outside the prayer time, many residents who use the mosques for a place to communicate, learn the Qur'an, and others.

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