Pendhapa

A pendhapa or pandhapa (Javanese: ꦥꦼꦤ꧀ꦝꦥ or ꦥꦤ꧀ꦝꦥ, Indonesian spelling: pendapa, nonstandard spelling: pendopo) is a fundamental element of Javanese architecture unique in the southern central part of Java; a large pavilion-like structure built on columns. Either square or rectangular in plan, it is open on all sides and provides shelter from the sun and rain, but allows breeze and indirect light. The word pendhapa is cognate to the Sanskrit word mandapa ("hall"). The Dutch writer Multatuli in his colonial reformist novel Max Havelaar described the pendhapa thus: "After a broad-brimmed hat, an umbrella, or a hollow tree, a 'pendoppo' [sic] is certainly the most simple representation of the idea 'roof'." Derived from ancient Javanese architectural elements, pendhapa are common ritual spaces primarily intended for ceremony, and also for a purposes such as receiving guests in the compounds of wealthy Javanese, and even as cottage industry work spaces. Pendhapa are constructed as a stand-alone structure or, attached to a walled inner structure (dalem), may form the front part of a traditional Javanese house (omah). The oldest surviving images of ancient Javan vernacular architecture appear in Borobudur reliefs, among others the stepped roof type . They once sheltered the institutions of ancient Javanese kingdoms, such as law courts, clergy, palaces, and for public appearances of the king and his ministers. In 9th century Ratu Boko complex near Prambanan, there is traces of square elevated stone bases with , stones with hole to put wooden pillars on it. The similar structures also can be found in 14th century Trowulan dated from Majapahit era, where square brick bases with stones suggest that some once stood there. Because the pillars and the roof was made from wooden organic material, no trace of the roof remains. The with faithful Majapahit brick-base style can be found in 16th century Kraton Kasepuhan, Cirebon, as well as 17th century Kota Gede, Yogyakarta. This evidence suggests that the design has not changed much for over a millennia.