Magersari and How Unique It Is - A Case Study: Magersari of the Sunanate Palace Surakarta

Kampong Magersari, a cultural heritage site, situated in the Sunanate Palace area in Surakarta City, is unique because of its physical, economical and socio-cultural hereditary potency. These qualities, though located in a conflict area in which there is no single and legitimate authority, can endure and will make the kampong a popular tourist destination. Therefore, the understanding of such potency is the elementary part in developing culture-based tourism. Besides possessing cultural heritage buildings, such as the residences of Ndalem (noblesmen) and Magersari (the residence of abdi dalem/courtiers) as its main potential resources, the kampong also possesses promising resources such as Javanese arts and culture, creative industries, traditional culinary delights and cultural rituals that can be developed further. This research aims to identify the characteristics of Kampong Magersari as an important potential part of tourism development. Data and information were collected through field observations, in-depth interviews, and relevant documents. This research found that Magersari has many potential strengths as a cultural tourism kampong, because there are 14 Ndalem Kapangeranan (noblemen’s residences), 3 creative industry areas, 6 art studios, 10 annual cultural events, and 4 potential sources of culinary delights. All these attractions complement the old Magersari buildings throughout the area that can also be strong bases for developing a cultural tourism village. Furthermore, this community-based tourism program also involves tourists in the making of Javanese arts and cultural-centric products. Hence, all these initiatives and potential developments can support the realization of Surakarta as a developed, autonomous, prosperous city of culture. Keywords—magersari, surakarta sunanate palace, heritage, culture-based tourism