Kraton or Keraton is the Javanese word for a royal palace. Its name is derived from ka-ratu-an which means the residence of ratu. Ratu is the traditional honorific title to refer the "ruler" (king or queen). In Java, the palace of a prince is called puro or dalem. The general word to designate a palace is istana, as in Indonesian and Malay.
Kraton that function as the residence of a royal family include:
- Yogyakarta (Jogja) region
- Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat (Palace of Sultan Hamengkubuwono).
- Puro Pakualaman (Palace of Adipati Pakualam).
- Surakarta (Solo) region
- Kraton Surakarta Hadiningrat (Palace of Susuhunan Pakubuwono).
- Puro Mangkunegaran (Palace of Adipati Mangkunegara).
- Cirebon area
The locations of former kraton has been determined by historical records or archaeological efforts. Former kraton include:
- Kraton Ratu Boko, east of Yogyakarta in the Prambanan area. The structure dates from 9th century and is thought to belong to the Sailendra or Mataram Kingdom, however local inhabitants named this site after King Boko, the legendary king in Loro Jongrang folklore.
- Kraton of Majapahit in Trowulan, Mojokerto, the capital of the former Majapahit. Sites such as Pendopo Agung Majapahit are thought to be remnants of the Kraton of Majapahit.
- Kraton Surosowan, Banten, former royal palace of Sultanate of Banten.
- Kraton Kaibon, the former palace of queen mother.
In Surakarta and Yogyakarta region, there is the remnants of Sultanate of Mataram palaces:
The term kraton 'palace' is also used as a way to refer to the court which it houses.
This is especially the case for native Indonesian states where the succession is disputed, giving issue to two or more branches of the dynasty, or even rivaling dynasties, each setting up an alternative court, while competing for the same state, but generally only controlling part of it.
- Kraton Kasepuhan, using as the ruler's style Sultan
- Kraton Kanoman, style Sultan
- Kraton Kacirebonan, style Sultan
- http://www.yogyes.com/en/yogyakarta-tourism-object/candi/ratu-boko/ King Boko Palace
- http://www.jogjatrip.com/en/173/ratu-boko-temple Ratu Boko Temple
- see Trowulan#The Majapahit Park and http://theartnewspaper.com/articles/Indonesian-minister-of-culture-s-public-apology-for-destruction-of-archaeological-site/17112
- "Budaya: Istana Kaibon".
- "Cirebon : Palaces".
- Miksic, John (general ed.), et al. (2006) Karaton Surakarta. A look into the court of Surakarta Hadiningrat, central Java (First published: 'By the will of His Serene Highness Paku Buwono XII'. Surakarta: Yayasan Pawiyatan Kabudayan Karaton Surakarta, 2004) Marshall Cavendish Editions Singapore ISBN 981-261-226-2