Solo burnt palace rebuilt

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)