Travel Guide Plaine De Prambanan

Located 17 km northeast of Yogya, on the road to Solo, the Prambanan plain is home to Java's largest concentration of Hindu temples. Recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1981, the area is famous for its majestic temples erected in honor of the Trimurti, representing the three main Hindu gods: Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. The rediscovery of Prambanan by Europeans is attributed to C.A. Lons, a Dutchman who became aware of the site in 1811, when Java was briefly under British control. Although the site was known to the locals, this discovery was crucial in attracting international attention. Significant restoration efforts were undertaken in the 20th century, further revealing the site's complexity and beauty. In addition, the temple walls are adorned with bas-reliefs depicting tales from the Ramayana and Bhagavata Purana, adding artistic and narrative richness to the site. Prambanan remains an important site of worship for Hindus in Indonesia, particularly during the religious festival of Shivaratri (March 8, 2024 and February 26, 2025).Given its proximity to Yogyakarta and, above all, the beauty of the site, it's a must-see. In fact, many tourists confess to being more sensitive to the magic of Prambanan than to the grandeur of Borobudur..Unfortunately, the earthquake of 2006 did a great deal of damage to certain structures. Consolidation work has been carried out by Japanese teams, but some temples have been closed to the public pending rehabilitation. However, it is still possible to visit the interior of the three main temples.Bearing in mind that the site opens at 6 a.m. and that tourist buses disembark at around 9 a.m., it's best to disembark very early in order to enjoy a relatively quiet morning.