A.
Overview
After a week being wrapped up with exhausting work and
activities, there is nothing wrong with withdrawing yourself from all the
business. For that, going on a vacation would be a good choice to refresh
yourself. If you have been familiar with places such as beach, mountain,
temple, museum, zoo, and so on, you should try a new experience by visiting an
alternative tourist destination in Sendangsono.
Sendangsono is a Catholic pilgrimage complex and often touted
as Indonesian Lourdes as it resembles the place of pilgrim in Lourdes, France.
Situated in the area of Menoreh Hills far away from urban hullabaloo and air
pollution, the place has the cool weather and tranquility conducive for praying
and reflection. Despite being a Catholic place of pilgrimage, the site is open
for public. There are visitors of various religious beliefs come in Sendangsono
to merely savor the quiet and peaceful environment which can indeed be found
here.
Before inaugurated as a place of Catholic pilgrimage by Romo
J.B. Prennthaler SJ on December 8, 1929, the place had used to be a transit for
pedestrians walking from Borobudur to Boro and vice versa. The place was made a
transit due to the sendang (spring) in between the Sono trees—thus the
name originated. It was also where the Budhist monks did their meditation.
As the Catholic teachings began to be proselytized in
Kalibawang area, the spring was used by Father Van Lith to baptize 171 locals,
including Barnabas Sarikromo as the first catechument. Later on, the place was
reconstructed by Father Van Lith and his congregation to become a place of
pilgrimage. At that time, the complex was not as wide as now, there was only
Maria Cave, the chapel, and the yard next to the river.
Over the time, the place was inviting more and more pilgrims
that it could no longer bear the visitors. In 1974, a reconstruction started to
widen the site. The gradual construction was led by Father YB Mangunwijaya
(Romo Mangun).
Typical of Romo Mangun’s architectural work, the concept of
the reconstruction was conceived to have a Javanese atmosphere and be
environment-friendly at the same time. The materials were taken from
surrounding nature, even the workers were the locals living nearby. For that
reason, Sendangsono was given the Aga Khan Awards by the Ikatan Arsitek
Indonesia (Indonesian Architect Organization) in 1991 for the category of
special construction.
B. Features
To get to Sendangsono, you have to walk through a winding
trail full of ups and downs. Entering the complex, you will find a stone gate
and a line of peddlers selling souvenirs and worshipping equipments. The
atmosphere is really peaceful and calm in there. There is no noise of vehicles
or people shouting, only the sound of water flowing in a small stream and the
tweet of birds welcoming you.
There are a lot of activities you can do here, praying in
front of Maria Lourdes Cave, Sendangsono, performing the Stations of the Cross,
or even merely enjoying the tranquility while reflecting in the chapel or in
the panggung houses (houses built on stilt). You can also take a walk
around relishing Sendangsono architecture, standing upon a small bridge while
enjoying the beauty of the river below.
There are two alternative routes in Sendangsono to perform
the Stations of the Cross. The first is the short one, which is usually taken
by old people or visitors who do not have much time. Through the route, the
spaces between stations are very close, only some steps away. The points are
marked with a diorama of the story of Jesus’ misery under a small roof. The
other route is the long one which starts from St. Maria Promasan Parish and
ends at Maria Lourdes Cave. The route is around 1 km long and usually taken in
certain times such as before Easter.
After performing the Stations of the Christ, you can pray in
front of Maria Lourdes Cave. You can also write down your wish on a paper and
put it in the fire pot. In the cave, there stands a statue of Holy Mary, which
was bestowed by the Queen of Spain. The statue was brought there by the congregation
from Sentolo to Sendangsono.
At last, you should not forget to take the spring water which
is channeled through the water faucets at the side of the river. The water is
believed to have the power to bring luck and to heal if drunk or used to wash a
person’s face. The pilgrims usually carry small jerrycans or bottles to take
the water home.
C. Location
The religious tourism object of Maria Lourdes Sendangsono
Cave lies in the village of Banjaroyo, Kalibawang District, Kulonprogo Regency,
Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
D. Access
Sendangsono is situated at Menoreh Hills, near with the
border of Yogyakarta and Central Java Province. From downtown Yogyakarta, there
are two routes to get to the tourist destination. The first is through Godean
street that goes to Kalibawang area, Kulonprogo. The other route is through the
main road of Yogyakarta-Magelang. From Yogyakarta, turn left near the Muntilan
Market. To get to the site, it may take around 45 minutes from Yogyakarta by
motorcycle or car.
If you come from Magelang, Purworejo or Semarang, you can
take the highway connecting Salaman and Wates. In Bendo area, you will find a
direction board showing the way to Sendangsono.
One thing important is that the road to Sendangsono is steep,
winding, and only 4 meter wide. Thus tourists’ buses cannot get into the
parking area and have to stop at Bendo instead. To get to the location,
visitors coming by bus can take an ojek (motorcycle taxi) or rent a car
in Bendo.
You can also reach the place by public transportation from
Yogyakarta or Magelang. From Yogyakarta, take a bus to Wates, stop at
Palbapang, Sentolo. From there, you should change the bus to Magelang and stop
at Bendo. You can also take a Jogja-Nanggulan bus and drop off at Bendo. If you
depart from Magelang, take a bus to Wates, drop off at Bendo and continue the
trip by ojek or on foot.
E. Ticket
To have a pilgrimage or merely pray in Sendangsono, there is
no charge. However, if you want to give a donation, you can put the money in
the box in several spots. Besides, you can also give an alms in person to the
custodians.
F. Accomodations and Facilities
As a place of pilgrimage often crowded by visitors, Maria
Lourdes Sendangsono Cave has been equipped with various supporting facilities,
from wide parking lot, public convenience, souvenir kiosks and food stalls,
health clinic, security post, to panggung houses which are available for
the visitors to take a rest with permission of the custodians. In the complex,
there are some chapels, the grave of Barnabas Sarikromo (the first catechumen),
and St. Maria Lourdes Promasan Parish. Aside from being a place of pilgrimage,
the cave often functions as a place for performing Mass or Eucharist.
Another facilitiy currently (April, 2010) being constructed
is a special route for disabled people and elderlies. Knowing that Sendangsono
unique architecture has so many staircases, next to the paths are know being
made special lanes for wheelchair. So, people can still perform the Stations of
the Christ even by sitting on their wheelchairs and despite the short distance.
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