Triwindu, Solo Flea Market

[caption id="attachment_32373" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="indonesiacultural.blogspot.com"][/caption] Surakarta, also called Solo, is probably the city with the most preserved traditional marketplace in Indonesia. This can be seen from its chosen as the venue for the first Pasar Kumandang Festival, a festival to promote the preservation of traditional marketplace as one of Indonesia's cultural heritage. One of the marketplaces on which the festival held few months ago is Triwindu Market. According to history, Triwindu market was a gift from Mangkunegoro VII to her daughter, GRAy. Nurul Khamaril. The market was given when she celebrate her 24th birthday in 1939. In Javanese, 24th birthday is the third (Tri) eight year cycle (Windu) of one's life. Triwindu is also named Windu Jenar market. Triwindu is a flea market situated some 150 meters to the south of Mangkunegaran Palace. This marketplace is situated alongside Diponegoro street. Known as one of the city's cultural icon, Triwindu market was preveouslu only a square crowded by people to make some barter. [caption id="attachment_32375" align="alignright" width="300" caption="kabarsoloraya.com"][/caption] In sixties, some local merchants began to build semi-permanent stall to do the trading. It was followed by other merchants for more advantage could be obtained from having a semi-permanent building to trade. Previously a common marketplace, Triwindu slowly turned into flea market for most traders in the market sell used things. Its existence provides suitable place for people who want to sell unused commodity or antiques. Between 1970-1990, Triwindu grew into one of important hunting place for collectors and antique merchants from all around the world to look for rare stuff with relatively cheaper price. Collectors mostly looked for rarities related to Sunan's Palace as well as Mangkunegaran. It is no longer a secret among them and antique traders that Triwindu's antique merchant are frequently possessing antiques and rarities from both palaces. They trade minor heirloom kriss, daggers, or spear, potteries, and other small items from people inside the Palaces. [caption id="attachment_32376" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="kabarsoloraya.com"][/caption] Some antique merchants said that there were potteries from China. They believed that the potteries are from Han and Ming Dynasties that ruled China 800 and 400 years ago respectively. However, the price ranging between IDR5-10 million for a certain rarity could shock ordinary visitors. Accordingly, Triwindu also grew as a unique place to visit. The combination between rare commodities, antiques, traditional trading system, the history, and its dusty but vintage atmosphere became quite an attraction. Most visitors come to this market not to buy any commodities, but only enjoy the antique scene. Though colorful and crowded, most merchant displays their commodities in careless manner creating the abandoned feeling as grandpa's stuffs we might find laid on the dusty attic. When lucky, visitors can purchase rare stuff in affordable price. A small brass statue, for example, is only IDR50,000.00. Among affordable antiques could be found here are coins from China or colonial era, old batik garment, wooden statues and masks, precious stones, silverware, old rusty doorknob and padlock, steel iron, metal box and suitcase, and radios from early 30's or 40's.