THE ANTIQUE HOUSE AT GAMPLONG NATURE STUDIO Historical Nostalgia & a Favorite Photo Spot 📷💫
Hello Travel Lovers!
Back again on my blog. Oh yeah, remember that time I told you about Gamplong Nature Studio? You definitely do. Well, this time I want to tell you specifically about the antique house inside Gamplong Studio. It's truly like stepping back in time, haha. It truly feels like you're in old-school Indonesia.
For those of you on vacation in Yogyakarta, I want to recommend this place. You've probably heard of Gamplong Nature Studio, right? It's often referred to as Indonesia's "Mini Hollywood," so they say...
This location has been the filming location for many major films, from Sultan Agung to Bumi Manusia. But among the many buildings there, there's one spot that you absolutely must add to your list of visits: the Antique House. It's a must! Why must you? Because ......
AN ATMOSPHERE THAT MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'VE TRAVELED INTO THE PAST
You know what? As soon as I arrived in front of this antique house, I immediately felt the nuance of "the past". I was immediately greeted by an ancient workshop, complete with familiar materials. Then, as I walked inside, wow, the building and furnishings were all very classic: large wooden doors, wide windows, wooden stairs, tall glass cabinets filled with everything.
As I walked further inside, I was immediately presented with a truly old-fashioned workspace, with paintings and a deer head statue inside. Oh yeah, one thing that caught my attention was ... a TYPEWRITER, hahaha. I immediately sat down and pretended to write in the middle of the room. It truly feels like going back in time. In addition to the items I mentioned earlier, there are many other genuine antiques, some of which are decades old. Let me describe what I saw and what caught my attention:
- A majestic and classic Javanese carved wooden chair.
- A tall glass cabinet for storing enamel plates and household items.
- An old radio with a distinctive crackling sound when played.
- A rotary telephone that makes today's children confused about how to use it.
- A large round wall clock with a nostalgic tick-tock sound.
- An old-fashioned typewriter that witnessed the birth of many important manuscripts and letters from the past.
- A classic bicycle parked sweetly on the porch—an icon of past transportation that was a mainstay of society before motorcycles and cars.
- An old-fashioned piano with aged wood paint, as if inviting me to imagine the strains of keroncong music on a serene afternoon accompanied by a cup of tea and warm fried snacks.
- An old-fashioned study complete with a large wooden table, hard chairs, and stacks of old books, for me this is the perfect spot to imagine a nobleman or intellectual writing seriously under the light of an oil lamp.
FILM TRACES IN ANTIQUE HOUSES
So, I want to tell you a little about this antique house. It's not just an ordinary old house. It's a "supporting star" in many Indonesian films. Want to know which films? Among them:
- In the film Bumi Manusia (2019), I saw this house as one of the main settings to depict the life of Javanese nobility and the colonial feel. Clearly, from the typewriter, the bicycle, even the old-fashioned workspace that I tried, everything contributed to the authentic atmosphere in the film.
- In the film Sultan Agung: Throne, Struggle, Love (2018), this house was used to present an elegant traditional Javanese atmosphere, as clearly depicted by the authenticity of almost all the objects in the antique house.
- Several other historical films are also frequently filmed here, as the furnishings are truly authentic, some of which were even borrowed from the local community.
After exploring, I discovered that this house has been featured in many historical films in Indonesia. The atmosphere truly brings me back to the days before I was born, hahaha.
FAVORITE PHOTO SPOTS
Now, this is really important, haha. The Antique House in Studio Alam Gamplong is definitely a haven for photo lovers like me. Here are some of the coolest spots, in my opinion:
- The typewriter desk – perfect for vintage writer-style poses.
- The study corner – perfect for photos of royalty or historical figures.
- The bicycle on the porch – so classic, it gives the vibe of coming home from work in the 1940s.
- The vintage piano – aesthetic when photographed from the side, especially with vintage outfits.
- The large wooden windows – the lighting is natural and dramatic.
So ... When you go there, try wearing batik, kebaya, or other vintage-inspired outfits to really blend in with the atmosphere of the vintage house. Well, this is my fault, I went there wearing today's kids' clothes, so it didn't match, annoying, right?! Hahah
TIPS FOR VISITING GAMPLONG ANTIQUE HOUSES
I'll give you these tips for the best time, so you don't waste your time there. BTW, I went there in the afternoon.
- Best time: morning or evening, because sunlight is softer and cooler.
- Ticket price: Gamplong Studio entrance ticket valid at IDR. 10,000,- and that's really cheap.
- Duration: take 30–45 minutes to explore this house, because there are so many details, I don't think it's enough even though it takes quite a long time to walk around.
- Bring a camera: now this is the most important. Don't just use a cellphone, if you can, bring a camera so you can get maximum photos.
CONCLUSION
For me, walking inside the Alam Gamplong Studio Antique House is like riding in a time machine. From me trying out a bicycle, sitting and pretending to type on a typewriter, then pretending to make phone calls while standing in the corner of the wall, there are a lot of them. Makes me feel like I've entered the world before, it's really magical!
So.... If you go to Yogyakarta, make sure you stop by here. Guaranteed that when you come home you will not only get cool photos, but also valuable experiences, and a deeper love for our (Indonesian) history and culture, thank you.....
Image(s) in this post are my own
Cover made in Canva
Best Regards,
Discord: tina_agustiin