Smaller Than an Airport: Is Pakualaman Jogja Indonesia's Smallest Sub-District?
Did you know that the smallest sub-district in Indonesia is located in Yogyakarta City? Let’s get acquainted with Kemantren Pakualaman, a sub-district whose area is less than 1 square kilometre. This sub-district is situated in the centre of Yogyakarta City.
For information, Kemantren is the term for a sub-district in Yogyakarta City. Kemantren Pakualaman is one of 14 Kemantren in Yogyakarta City. Kemantren Pakualaman is less than 1 km east of the 0-kilometre point of Yogyakarta City.
“The area is only 0.63 square kilometres, inhabited by around 10,634 people based on civil registry data,” explained Mantri Pakualaman, Saptohadi, when met by detikJogja at his office on Thursday (5/3/2026).
The area of Kemantren Pakualaman is only about one-tenth of the Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) area, which is around 600 hectares.
“It’s not too large; indeed, the information states that it is one of the Kemantren that, nationally referred to as a sub-district, is the smallest in Indonesia,” said Saptohadi.
Kemantren Pakualaman borders directly with Kali Code to the west, with Jembatan Sayidan as the boundary with Kemantren Gondomanan. To the south, Kemantren Pakualaman borders Kemantren Mergangsan.
To the north, there is Kemantren Danurejan and part of Kemantren Gondokusuman. To the east, Kemantren Pakualaman borders Kemantren Umbulharjo.
“We have two villages: Gunungketur and Purwokinanti. There are 19 RW, 10 in Purwokinanti and 9 in Gunungketur. Then there are 4 hamlets in Purwokinanti and 3 in Gunungketur,” explained Saptohadi.
Although its area is small, Kemantren Pakualaman is a special sub-district. This is because it contains the Istana Kadipaten Pakualaman, often called Pura Pakualaman.
“Pakualaman is one of, in my opinion, the special sub-districts; there is the Kadipaten Pakualaman, the residence of KGPAA Paku Alam X, who is also the Deputy Governor of DIY,” explained Saptohadi.
In addition, Kemantren Pakualaman is quite busy and dense. Its position in the city centre has led to the growth of large hotels in the area of Kemantren Pakualaman. Several vital objects are also located within its territory.
Regarding population demographics, according to Saptohadi, the majority of residents work as entrepreneurs to private employees. Several famous culinary spots are also in the Pakualaman area, such as Rujak Es Krim Paino and the legendary herbal outlet Jamu Ginggang.
“For large, star-class hotels, there are four. There is Jambuluwuk, 101 Style, Indies Style next to it, and the newest Hotel Fortuna Suit. Then there are several jasmine-class hotels in various places,” he said.
“Including vital objects, there is the Wirogunan Prison and Detention Centre (Class IIA Yogyakarta Prison) which is in Gunungketur Village. There is also Sentul Market,” Saptohadi concluded.