Istana Ratu Boko

Ratu Boko or Boko temple (Javanese: Candhi Ratu Baka) is a complex archaeological site that is the number of the remaining buildings are located approximately three km south from the temple complex of Prambanan, 18 km east of Yogyakarta or 50 km southwest of the city Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia. Ratu Boko located on a hill at an altitude of 196 meters above sea level. The overall area of ​​the complex is about 25 ha.

This site displays the attributes as a place of activism or residential sites, but their exact function is not clear. Ratu Boko is estimated to have used people in the 8th century during the Sailendra (Rakai Panangkaran) of the Kingdom Medang (Mataram Hindu). Judging from the pattern of laying the remains of the building, 

allegedly this site is the former palace (royal palace). This opinion is based on the fact that the complex is not a temple or a building with a religious nature, but rather a fortified castle with evidence of the rest of the fort wall and dry moat as a defense structure. The remains of settlements is also found in the vicinity of this site.

The name "Queen Baka" is derived from local legend. Ratu Baka (Java language, literally meaning "king stork " ) is the father of Loro Jonggrang, which is also the name of the main temple at Prambanan temple complex. This building complex is associated with the legend Loro Jonggrang local people.

Administratively, the site is located in the region of two of Hamlet, the Hamlet Dawung, Bokoharjo Village and Hamlet Sumberwatu, Sambireja village, Prambanan subdistrict, Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia .

In contrast, to other ancient relics from the time of ancient Javanese generally shaped religious buildings, the site is a complex Boko profane, complete with entrance gate, pavilion, shelter, swimming baths, until the protective fence.

Different with another palace in Java which are generally established in areas that are relatively gentle, Ratu Boko site is located on a hill fairly high. This makes building complex is relatively more difficult to build from the point of procurement of labor and building materials. Except of course when its main building material, namely stone, taken from the hill region itself. It certainly requires well trained workers to process the rock into chunks that can be used as building materials .

Positions on this hill also requires the springs and the water management system that can meet their daily needs. Swimming baths are relics of this regulatory system the rest is a challenge for archaeologists to reconstruct.

The position at the top of the hill also provide cool air and beautiful natural scenery to its residents, in addition of course make this complex more difficult to attack the opponent.

Another feature of this site is the place on the left of the gate that is now commonly called "crematorium". Given the size and position, no doubt this is a place to show something or an activity. Giving the name "cremation" implies the need for routine cremation activities in this place that needs to be further investigated. It may well be necessary to consider investigating this place as a kind of altar or place offerings .