5 Sculptures to Explore in Central Java

Ceto is a fifteenth-century Javanese-Hindu temple that is located on the western slope of Mount Lawu on the border between Central and East Java provinces.

Gedong Songo was erected out of volcanic stone and the two complexes represent the oldest Hindu structures in Java. The temples of Gedong Songo reflect a similar architectural structure to those on the Dieng Plateau, though they have less variation in form than them. Gedong Songo displays more emphasis on plinth and cornice moldings.

Located a little over 3 km from Borobudur, it is home to an exquisitely carved 3-meter high statue of Buddha. Mendut Buddhist temple Built around early ninth century AD, Mendut is the oldest of the three temples including Pawon and Borobudur. The Karangtengah inscription, the temple was built and finished during the reign of King Indra of the Sailendra dynasty.

Sewu temple is the second largest Buddhist temple complex in Indonesia located 800 metres north of Prambanan in Central Java, Indonesia. There are 249 buildings in the complex are arranged in a Mandala pattern around the main central hall. This configuration expresses the Mahayana Buddhist view of the universe.

Sukuh Temple is one of several temples built on the northwest slopes of Mount Lawu in the 15th century. Sukuh temple has a distinctive thematic relief from other Javanese-Hindu temple where life before birth and sexual education are its main theme. Its main monument is a simple pyramid structure with reliefs and statues in front of it, including three tortoises with flattened shells.