PASAR KLEWER
North Alun-Alun Complex
West of Kasunan Surakarta Royal Palace
Solo, Central Java
As the
biggest batik market in Indonesia Klewer Market shouldn't be missed, especially
for travelers who love to shop. Ranging from thousands rupiahs batik cap
(stamped batik) cotton shirt to millions rupiahs silk batik tulis (written
batik) can be found.
KLEWER MARKET - The Legendary Batik Market
As
people said, during the colonial era Klewer Market was a train station. People
also used this place to sell merchandises to the train passengers; therefore,
it was called Slompretan Market. The word slompretan comes from slompret (means
trumpet) because the departing train’s sound is almost similar to the sound of
the trumpet blown. Slompretan Market was also thronged by merchants who sell
their textile products such as batik. These merchants sold their batik by
carrying them on their back/shoulders and the batik looked dangling (klewer).
Later, this market is well-known as Klewer Market - dangling market.
In
1970s, this market was renovated into a huge two stories permanent building.
This market accommodates two thousand kiosks and the buyers would feel more
comfortable to shop because of the wide stairs giving more open space.
The Cheap Textile and Batik Wholesale Center
Walking
along its wide aisles, from one block to another block, various kinds of batik
clothes as if persuade you to buy them. From kebaya (Javanese traditional woman
cloth), fabrics, formal clothes, to batik shirts, house dress, beautiful
blouses and kids clothes. Not only Solo Batik, this market also provides batik
collections from Banyumas, Pekalongan, Madura, Yogyakarta, etc. You will easily
find both the stamped batik for thousands rupiah and written batik which is way
cheaper than the one in boutiques/stores. Bargaining skill is the most
important thing to get the best price. Most of the kiosks also sell wholesale
for cheaper price instead of buying in retail.
Go
to the second floor, you will find various kinds of textiles, from school
uniform, shirt, jacket, ties, cotton fabric, and silk. The unique thing is,
there are tailors in this market, ready to sew the fabric you bought into your
dream cloth in less than a day.
Tired
of shopping and walking around this textile market, you can go to either the
front or the side of the market. Various kinds of food stalls are not only
ready to be a rest place, but also the place to enjoy various kinds of
traditional food. Nasi Pecel, Nasi Liwet, Tengkleng, Dawet, Gempol and many
kinds of food and drinks are ready to relieve your thirst and hunger.
Tips for taking care of batik
To
maintain and taking care the beauty of your batik, there are some tips for you:
1.
Avoid washing your
batik by washing-machine and detergent. Wash it with your hand, use either
shampoo dissolved with water or body-soap.
2.
Dry it under the shade
without pressing it before. Avoid drying under the direct sun light. Let it dry
naturally.
3.
Foil your batik with
another cloth before ironing. Avoid the direct heat from the iron.
4.
Avoid spraying cloth
fragrance, softener, or perfume directly on the batik.
What You Can Find
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