Solo burnt palace rebuilt

SURAKARTA: A wing of the Surakarta (Solo) palace burned down in 1985 will be rebuilt.

King Paku Buwono XII held a party on Monday night thanking donors for their contributions to the project, which will officially start on Dec. 17, Antara reported yesterday.

About 500 people, mostly royal family members, attended the party, which featured the entertainment of an all-night shadow puppet show.

Palace spokesman GPH Dipokusumo said Rp 3.8 billion (US$1.6 million) are needed to rebuild the part of the palace called Sasono Hondrowino.

The 3,000 square meter Sasono Hondrowino, built by King Paku Buwono V in April 1823, had been renovated twice before it was reduced to ashes in 1985.

The wing used to be the place where Surakarta kings entertained their VIP guests and serviced the palace's leather puppets. (pan)