Kampoeng Batik Laweyan, a Place Full of Creativities and Inspirations

 Written by: Alfina Novi S P

Solo, which is known for its slogan ‘The Spirit of Java’, is a culturally rich city. When many individuals first step their foot in Solo, they will fall in love with its stunning and magnificent things. Batik is a culture that has been anchored and well-known for a long time and has even become a trademark of Solo. Batik is also more than just a one-of-a-kind piece of cloth with a motif; it represents a philosophy of perseverance, persistence, and pride. Because of its uniqueness, batik has its own attraction for both local and foreign tourists. The Laweyan area, known as Kampoeng Batik Laweyan, is one of the areas that developed the batik heritage.

Laweyan has become a tourism attraction known as Kampoeng Batik Laweyan since 2004, as well as a batik industry cluster. Kampoeng Batik Laweyan is the oldest and most famous batik center in Solo, located at Jl. Doctor Radjiman No. 521, Laweyan, Solo, Central Java. Kampoeng Batik Laweyan has a population of nearly 2,500 people, with the majority working as merchants or batik manufacturers. Kampoeng Batik Laweyan, with its batik icon, is one of the tourist attractions in Solo, specifically urban tourism (city tourism or village tourism with unique themes), which has existed since the 19th century.

Kampoeng Batik Laweyan Solo is an old village with an oriental vibe, has been a silent witness to the development of the batik industry. Despite its ups and downs, it has survived to become a tourist attraction that must be seen in Solo. Kampoeng Batik Laweyan, which is rich in historical value, has been classified as a cultural heritage site.

   

Langgar Merdeka, located on Jl. Dr. Radjiman, Laweyan, Solo, is one of several Laweyan cultural heritage buildings. This building also stands as a landmark for Kampoeng Batik Laweyan. As a cultural heritage area, it also has a batik monument at one of the village intersections as a symbol of Laweyan's revival. This monument stands 2 meters tall and is black in the shape of four tiers of cities with varying sizes and has a triangular roof.

Kampoeng Batik Laweyan Solo, originally known as Laweyan Village, existed before the establishment of the Pajang Kingdom. When the descendants of Brawijaya V, specifically Ki Ageng Henis, moved to Laweyan Village, the village became known as Kampoeng Batik Laweyan. He taught his students how to make batik. That’s why it’s not surprising that the tourists can find Ki Ageng Henis’ grave complex, nearby the Masjid Laweyan, both of which are located on Jl. Liris No. 01, Pajang, Laweyan, Solo.

  

The Ki Ageng Henis grave complex is also a major tourist attraction in Laweyan. The gate is located on the right side of the Masjid Laweyan. Visitors will find a teak resting spot in a typical antique structure. There are also pilgrim restrictions, and a pedigree of the lineage of Mataram's monarchs and courtiers is displayed on one corner of the wall. Inside the open building, there are portraits of PB II, Kanjeng Sunan Kalijaga, Kanjeng Pangeran Panembahan Senopati, and Ki Ageng Pamanahan, all of whom maintain close relations with Ki Ageng Henis and the Kingdom of Pajang.

After passing through the Langgar, there is a gate made of thick blue teak wood with Javanese carving motifs which is next to the Masjid Laweyan. For your information, the grave complex of Ki Ageng Henis is quite large. Tourists must pass through three gates to reach Ki Ageng Henis' main grave, which is not accessible to the public. The door is always locked, and there is always a caretaker there. When tourists reach the Ki Ageng Henis burial complex, tourists may see the Pajang kingdom's family graves lined with rows of mossy gravestones.

A Nagasari tree that is more than 500 years old may be found not far from the way tourists walked, at a third door facing the Ki Ageng Henis graveyard. The Nagasari tree, which stands near the pilgrimage site for Ki Ageng Henis' grave, is believed to represent a grave protector guarded by a dragon. According to the myth, the trunk of the Nagasari tree plant, which can be found in the yard of the Ki Ageng Henis' grave pilgrimage site, is often used to create tasbih seeds and a commando stick for those who wish to benefit from its powers.

The grave of Ki Ageng Henis, located slightly higher than the other graves in the cemetery complex. There is not only the grave of Ki Ageng Henis in the third tomb complex where the tomb of Ki Ageng Henis is located but also the graves of Nyai Ageng Pandan Aran on his left side and Nyai Ageng Pati on his right side. They are Ki Ageng Selo's children. Among the old tombs in the Ki Ageng Henis grave complex are the graves of Prince Widjil I Kadilangu, Pujangga Dalem Susuhunan, PB II - PB III who are said to have initiated the move of the Kartasura Palace to Surakarta after the Geger Pecinan led by Raden Mas Garendhi or Sunan Kuning and resulted in the destruction Kartasura Palace building.

Tourists can visit the grave of Ki Ageng Henis and pray for the ancestors, as well as gain historical insight into the origins of Laweyan and its founder, Ki Ageng Henis because the tourists will be accompanied by the caretaker of the grave complex. Besides, tourists are required to wash their feet first before entering Ki Ageng Henis' grave as a form of respect for the ancestors. It is also recommended that pilgrims wear batik cloth, which is worn like a sarong, which is provided by the kuncen. It is designed and provided by Kampoeng Batik Laweyan craftsmen, and it is renewed every four years in line with the clean-up celebration. Thus, in addition to being a source of pride, Javanese culture can be brought to life.  

Laweyan has evolved into a tourist attraction with historical, cultural, religious, and educational value, as well as a destination for travelers to learn about batik. The majority of individuals in Laweyan spend their time making batik on white Mori cloth using Canting and Malam to preserve batik culture. Until now, 250 batik motifs typical of Kampoeng Batik Laweyan have been granted patents. 

Lots of batik shops sell not only batik clothing, but also bags, sandals, shoes, handicrafts, batik-patterned paintings, and batik material at various prices. Laweyan batik colors tend to be light, as opposed to Kauman batik ones, which tend to be dark. Kampoeng Batik Laweyan also provides an educational experience for tourists interested in learning about the batik-making process. Tourists can take a two-hour batik course as part of a workshop tour package. Not even just that, but tourists' artworks can be taken home as a one-of-a-kind unique souvenir from Kampoeng Batik Laweyan. If tourists want to explore further and deeper into the art of crafting written and stamped batik, they can participate in intensive batik training. Those who want to start a batik business, are also taught how to do it during the training. This is undoubtedly a one-of-a-kind event that can educate tourists both on how to manufacture batik and how to run a batik business.

Culinary tours are also provided at Kampoeng Batik Laweyan, where tourists can taste a variety of cakes, drinks, and traditional foods. Therefore, there are shops, booths, restaurants, and cafes in various parts of Laweyan. Other than that, tourists can also enjoy special culinary Solo delicacies such as Ledre and Apem. In one of Kampoeng Batik Laweyan's alleys, precisely in Gang Sono, there is an industrial house that sells culinary Ledre in a variety of tastes and prices.

Speaking of buildings, the buildings in Kampoeng Batik Laweyan are old and ancient. Kampoeng Batik Laweyan is also known for its many small and narrow alleys with high walls. Some buildings have been renovated into more modern structures with stunning color schemes. Each street is decorated with a variety of beautiful ornaments and decorations. Some of the murals on the alley walls even have historical significance. Each resident's house has a different impression of elegance. Most of the houses in Kampoeng Batik Laweyan have kept their original features, while others have been renovated. 

Various old door styles can still be spotted in local individuals' homes. The Kampoeng Batik Laweyan building's uniqueness, with a smooth blend of three architectural styles; Java, Europe, and Islam, has its own charm, especially for those who want to take photographs. It is highly interesting and attractive as a photo object because of the background of the building, which also has historical and artistic worth. The very attractive design of Kampoeng Batik Laweyan seeks to encourage people to travel in Kampoeng Batik Laweyan, as well as provide a sense of comfort to the tourists. Furthermore, it is an attempt to promote batik culture to both local and foreign tourists.

 

Tourists will find a house with many wonderful paintings as they travel down each alley. The paintings are the work of a painter from Kampoeng Batik Laweyan Solo.  A walk through Kampoeng Batik Laweyan is nothing without capturing the moment with a gorgeous architectural background.

Kampoeng Batik Laweyan is located in a very strategic area of Solo and not far from the center of Solo itself, making it very easy to find. There is also a 'Google Maps' facility that can assist tourists in quickly locating Kampoeng Batik Laweyan. Simply typing the keyword 'Kampoeng Batik Laweyan', tourists are immediately presented with several alternative road options to get to this tourist attraction. 

However, tourists do not need to be worried about maps, since if they are more interested in tracing the historical trails in this area, they can read the tourist map of Kampoeng Batik Laweyan, which is located at the intersection of Jl. Sidoluhur, Laweyan. In addition to historical locations, we can find information on batik manufacturing locations on the map. Kampoeng Batik Laweyan can be accessed by any means of transportation, but it is more recommended to use a motorbike; as stated previously, there are many narrow alleys in Kampoeng Batik Laweyan that can only be accessed by motorbike, bicycle, or by taking a walk because the narrow alley is where the 'hidden gems' are located.

There are many hotels, homestays, and inns available around Laweyan for local and foreign tourists who want to enjoy the experience of Kampoeng Batik Laweyan for a longer period of time, such as Solia Zigna Laweyan Hotel, Roemahkoe Heritage Hotel, Ommaya Hotel & Resort, Malioboro Inn Solo Hotel, and many more with affordable price.

Despite the fact that the tourists only visit one attraction, they will receive a comprehensive tour package. The tourists will get historical tours, educational tours, cultural tours, religious tours, culinary tours, and also shopping tours. These make Laweyan even more worth it to visit when in Solo.