![At the museum no photos are allowed which is really unfortunate as it was well worth the visit and the guided tour is definitely not to be missed. In the museum there are even Batik made from the Dutch era which depicts stories like Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White!
I enjoyed the tour v much and at the end of the tour we were brought to this room where the artisan were working on hand drawn batik.
Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia for anyone interested in learning more about the process of batik making.
Firstly, a cloth is washed, soaked and beaten with a large mallet. Patterns are drawn with pencil and later redrawn using hot wax, usually made from a mixture of paraffin or bees wax, sometimes mixed with plant resins, which functions as a dye-resist. The wax can be applied with a variety of tools. A pen-like instrument called a canting (IPA: [tʃantiŋ], sometimes spelled with old Dutch orthography tjanting) is the most common. A canting is made from a small copper reservoir with a spout on a wooden handle. The reservoir holds the resist which flows through the spout, creating dots and lines as it moves. For larger patterns, a stiff brush may be used. Alternatively, a copper block stamp called a cap (IPA: [tʃap]; old spelling tjap) is used to cover large areas more efficiently.
After the cloth is dry, the resist is removed by scraping or boiling the cloth. The areas treated with resist keep their original color; when the resist is removed the contrast between the dyed and undyed areas forms the pattern. This process is repeated as many times as the number of colors desired.
The most traditional type of batik, called batik tulis (written batik), is drawn using only the canting. The cloth need to be drawn on both sides and dipped in a dye bath three to four times. The whole process may take up to a year; it yields considerably finer patterns than stamped batik.
Source: Wikipedia](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6224808/26fd1460-c65a-4c1a-9444-7a893e883ac9.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1920&h=480&q=medium)
Culturally rich Surakarta will entice you
Enjoy the area's culture, musicals and opera with a rental holiday home in Surakarta. This city's zoo, yoga and aquarium attract many visitors, as does its relaxing and trendy location. If you need more space to accommodate a family holiday or a trip with friends, rental homes often come with separate dining areas and spacious living rooms.
Sightseeing in and around Surakarta
Are you looking for things to do during your stay? Although it can be tempting to stay in your comfortable holiday rental, you'll want to check out everything that makes Surakarta a fun spot to go on holiday. Here are some of the major attractions to see, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city centre:
- Nakamura Klinik (0.9 mi / 1.4 km)
- Sriwedari Amusement Park (1 mi / 1.6 km)
Exploring the natural landscape of Surakarta
Whether you're looking for adventure or just want to appreciate the scenery, Surakarta is a great place to get outside. These are a few of the area's most stunning natural features, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city centre:
- Balekambang City Park (1.9 mi / 3 km)
- Bengawan Solo (2 mi / 3.2 km)
- The Heritage Palace (5 mi / 8 km)
- Keprabon Park (0.7 mi / 1.1 km)
Transport to and around Surakarta
The nearest airport is in Surakarta (SOC-Adisumarmo Intl.), located 6.7 mi (10.8 km) from the city centre. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you could book a flight to Yogyakarta (JOG-Adisucipto Intl.), which is 30.2 mi (48.6 km) away.
If you prefer to travel by train, Solo Balapan Station, Solo Jebres Station and Purwosari Station are the main stations in the area.