The World Karst Museum - Indonesia
This mountain-like building stands for an impressive architectural design in the Pracimantoro District in Wonogiri Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. Surrounded by mountains, mosques, and Parks, the Karst museum has been founded in 2008 and 2010 when it opens to the public as part of the National Geopark of Gunung Sewu and the Wonogiri tourism attraction site. There are at least three Karst museums in Indonesia, but just this can be found on Java Island. It is also considered the largest Karst Museum in Southeast Asia and the very unique museum with complete displays of karst-stones in the country.
At the entrance, a posting of several caves around the areas which could be seen the best karst inside of it. Local folks say that those caves have made several studies conducted by geologists, historians, and students. The Caves can explore by all visitors who are willing to experience the beautiful and adventurous sceneries from the hillside towards its natural surroundings. The entrance fee is Rp8, 000 rupiah or just 0.60 US dollars to explore the whole museum.
Upon entering the main lobby, the receptionist will check your entrance ticket and ask visitors to write names in the guest book, then, everyone is free to go around and be allowed to take some shots. The ground floor is about showing the World Map where the Karst could be found in each country; There is also an observatory on how Karst is formed, The Indonesian Karst Phenomenon, and; the Human replica found in Flores describing how they live in caves with Karst-stones as their shelters. On the south side of the ground floor will be seeing an exhibit of a prehistoric human skeleton and a variety of cultural tools.
While walking upstairs going to the second floor, it was very obvious to be observed that the tree’s leaves in the hills dry up because it stands in Karst hills or an area of land forming of limestones due to the water dissolution process. These processes last in a thousand million years, then later forms a hole became a cave, underground river, and corals.
On the second floor, one of the highlights is the various Karst collections and replicas around Indonesia has been it is displayed as an exhibit. On the other side, there are preserved flora and fauna, several types of preserved specimens of butterflies, bats, dragonflies, spiders, frogs, and snakes have part of the tour on the second floor. But, one of the glass displays catches my attention; home of a very small prehistoric man skeleton which discovered in Liang cave in Flores, Indonesia.
HOW TO GET THERE
The closest airport way to Wonogiri is Adi Sumarmo International Airport in Solo or Adi Sucipto International Airport in Yogyakarta. Daily flights are available daily from major airports in Indonesia.
From Airport, you can easily find air-conditioned bus transportation going to Wonogiri Regency. Travel time normally takes up to 2 hours commuters drive. Then transfer another Bus going to the Prancimantoro District for the 40-kilometer ride. Get off at Bus stop or at Pacimantoro Market, then ride a motorcycle going to the museum.
