Pasar Triwindu

Pasar Triwindu is Solo's antiques market, a warren of stalls selling everything from Javanese kris and wayang puppets to Dutch colonial bric-a-brac, old ceramics, traditional tools, and reproduction batik pieces. The market is near the Mangkunegaran palace and has been operating since the 1930s.

The quality and authenticity of pieces varies enormously — some vendors know exactly what they have, others do not — and export restrictions apply to genuine historical artefacts. That said, the market is a fascinating browse and genuine bargains do exist for the knowledgeable buyer. Even if you buy nothing, spending an hour here gives a good sense of the material culture of Java.

shopping market