UNESCO World Heritage
Nominated Property
The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and Its Historic Landmarks is an exceptional testimony to Javanese civilization and culture, exhibits an important interchange between belief systems and values, and is directly associated with outstanding living traditions, and artistic and literary works.
The placement of the landmarks along the Cosmological Axis was designed to manifest in physical form the Javanese philosophical thoughts on human life, especially the cycle of life (Sangkan Paraning Dumadi), ideal harmonious life (Hamemayu Hayuning Bawana), the connection between human beings and the Creator (Manunggaling Kawula Gusti), and the microcosmic and macrocosmic worlds.
The nominated property includes the Kraton (Palace) Complex and landmarks (monuments, structures and spaces) located along a tangible 6 km long south-north axis. The landmarks are connected spatially, in their design, through rituals, and by the traditional management system of the Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat.
'Outstanding Universal Values'
The concept of 'Outstanding Universal Value' relates to cultural heritage which transcends national boundaries and is of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity.
The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and Its Historic Landmarks is being nominated as a World Heritage Property under Criteria II, III and VI of the OUV.
Criterion (ii)
“to exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design”
The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and Its Historic Landmarks exhibits an important interchange of human values and ideas between different and overlapping belief systems related to Javanese animism and ancestor worship, Hinduism and Buddhism from India, Sufi Islam from either India or the Middle East, and Western influences, which were adapted and integrated into the beliefs and culture of the Mataram Kingdoms over hundreds of years. This important and complex interchange of values has created a remarkable cultural ensemble evident in the property’s town planning, architecture and monuments, as well as ceremonies, festivals, and other intangible heritage elements that are practiced to this day.
Criterion (iii)
“to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared”
The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and Its Historic Landmarks bears an exceptional testimony to Javanese civilization and living cultural traditions after the 16th century CE. The Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat remains the centre for Javanese civilization and its maintenance and development through the practice of various traditions of thought, governance, customary law (paugeran), arts, literature, festivals, ceremonies, and rituals at the property. A key element of the system is the Tata Rakiting Wewangunan concept, which has been developed and passed down through the Mataram Royal courts since the 16th century. Tata Rakiting Wewangunan refers to the holistic management of the tangible and intangible aspects of the Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, including buildings, decoration, plants, offerings, ceremonies, arts and uses of space in the Kraton Complex, the Royal Tombs, and more widely across the property.
Criterion (vi)
“be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance”
The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and Its Historic Landmarks is directly associated with living traditions, and artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance, which have been developed and refined since the 16th century CE, and which are still practiced to this day across the whole property. This includes rituals relating to the cycle of life (birth, marriage and death), venerating ancestors, coronations and royal occasions, Islamic days, connection with the forces of nature and the natural and the macrocosmic-microcosmic worlds, and offerings (sesajen) are conducted at all attributes of the property. The Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, based in the property, continues to play key role in the practice of many living Javanese culture and art forms, including Batik cloth, Keris daggers, Gamelan musical, and Wayang puppet theatre. The living traditions form a central part of the identity of the people of Yogyakarta.