History

History of Kasongan tourist village started from the death of a horse owned by Dutch detective on a resident’s rice field in a southern village of Yogyakarta city. Because the landowner fear would be punished by the colonialist of Dutch, then the land owner released ownership of his land, which was followed by other villagers who had the same  afraid with him. A number of rice field was finally recognized by the other villagers. The previous land owner who were finally  didnt have rice fields then starting a new activity around their homes, to processed unbreakable clay if it was squeezed for kitchen equipment and toys.

As the time goes by, those craft made of clay or commonly known as pottery is now developed into more varied items tuning with the needs and desires of market. Even the crafts in the Kasongan village is not only the goods of pottery, but now residents have used other materials which is available in their environment such as coconut shells, bamboo, rattan, wood, and others to be processed into ornament items that has a higher value. This expertise to make pottery is inherited to their generations up to make the Kasongan village as iconic tourism pottery village in Bantul regency.

Tourism Village of Kasongan

Tourism village of Kasongan is a residential area of the kundi, or a pitcher or gundi, that means people who make pitcher, gendi, pans, and other kitchen equipment, as well as decorative items made of pottery or clay.

Until now the village of Kasongan becomes one of interesting tourism destination in Yogyakarta which pulls many tourist. Line of show rooms or galleries in there offers goods of craft  from pottery such as jars, flower pots, and other materials such as decorative lights, transportation miniature (becak, bicycles, cars), various bags, sculptures, souvenirs for the bride, and interesting decoration for home display.

One of the legendary statue which is offered there is a statue of Loro Blonyo. Loro Blonyo is statue of a pair of bride that is trusted would give fortune if it is placed at home. We can see this statue in various poses. The statue was first introduced by Loro Blonyo Gallery which was adopted from the bride statue belong to Yogyakarta Palace.

If you are interested to know more about the process of making pottery, some galleries will offer a short courses for you to be took part. You also can see the process of making pottery in some home production.

Location

Tourism village of Kasongan is located in Kajen subvillage, Bangunjiwo village, Kasihan, Bantul, Yogyakarta. If you start from the Yogyakarta city, then go south side to find the intersection Dongkelan (intersection of South Ring Road – st. Bantul). Choose the road to the south past the street of Bantul. Trip from this Dongkelan intersection only takes about 10 minutes or 20 minutes from downtown. If you've reached the village of Kasongan, then you will be greeted by a gateway to this tourist village.