Surakarta, also renowned as Sala or SOLO, is a name of a city in Central Java Province. Solo occupies 44.03 square kilometres of surface area with population about 500 thousands people. Its history dates back to 1745 when Kartasura Palace of Mataram Kingdom was moved by the King, Susuhunan Pakubuwono II after being destroyed after a riot. The entire court was relocated in a great procession to a new site namely Desa Sala, a village located in the banks of Bengawan Solo River. Afterward, this village became Surakarta Hadiningrat.

The Kingdom was then divided into two, Surakarta Sunanate (northern court) and Yogyakarta (southern court) following Giyanti Treaty in 1755. Two years later, the decline of Mataram Kingdom continued when the northern region of Surakarta was handed over to Prince Sambernyawa (Mangkunagoro I) and Royal House of Mangkunagaran was established. It marked the success of Dutch policies known as "divide et impera" (divide and conquer) in East Indies. From then on, a highly complicated and elegant court culture was developed when both courts put great energy into the arts. Wayang and gamelan are some of performing arts still acted upon today. Keris, batik, Javanese traditional carnivals and festivals are also among various intangible cultural heritage of Solo.

The historical development of the city of Solo was very much influenced by the culture of both courts and colonial administration as well as trade culture. Solo is also renowned as “city of trade” marked by the development of Pasar Gede, the well-known traditional market of the city. Therefore, historic buildings and sites, particularly Keraton Kasunanan, Pura Mangkunagaran, Vastenburg Fort, and Pasar Gedhe, are living evidence of the city’s history making up tangible cultural heritage of Solo.

Solo is one of few Indonesian cities that was established based on modern urban planning. Inner-city railways and boulevard (now Jalan Slamet Riyadi), parks and public spaces, are among modern urban elements of Solo. Another sign is the existence of canal and water-gate system developed to prevent regular flooding from Bengawan Solo.

Solo also recognizes grouping of settlements. The district surrounding Pasar Gedhe and Kampung Balong is Chinese immigrant settlement, while that of Pasar Kliwon are Arab housing quarter. Settlement of local batik traders from 19^th and 20^th century are located in Kampung Laweyan. Their houses demonstrate beautiful and unique architecture beyond their tall walls and gates. Inside Kasunanan Palace complex, there is a Muslim scholar community who has been living there for centuries. This neighbourhood called Kampung Kauman is located in the west of Masjid Agung (Great Mosque). Its dwellings are a mixture of European, Javanese and Chinese architecture style.