Solo the short name for Surakarta, is a major city in Central Java, Indonesia. Together with Yogyakarta, these two cities are heirs of the Mataram kingdom that was split in 1755.
The Grand Mosque, built in 1750 by the Sunan Pakubuwana III, is located on the west side of the North Square, Alun-alun lor. Within the middle of North Square are 2 sacred Banyan trees.
Just west of the Grand Mosque is the Klewer Market which is Java's largest textile markets selling all types of wooven and printed cottons, silks and linen fabrics. There is also a large variety of batiks for sale. The markets are within a 3 story building with countless small stalls.
In the western part of Solo city is Sriwedari Park which has amusement rides and food stalls. There are nightly performances of 'Wayang Orang' dance dramas.
To the east of Sriwedari Park is the Radya Pustaka Museum with a huge display of puppets from Java, Bali and Thailand. The museum was built in 1890 by the Dutch colonial government