Prambanan Temple restoration accelerated by Indonesian government

The Indonesian Ministry of Culture is accelerating plans for the comprehensive restoration and revitalization of the Prambanan Temple complex. Minister of Culture Fadli Zon stated that the initiative aims to preserve the 9th-century monumental site in its entirety while establishing it as a cultural center and living heritage site that benefits the community.

The restoration faces significant technical challenges, particularly regarding the restoration of the perwara temples surrounding the three main structures: Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu. A primary obstacle is the scarcity of original stone materials. It is estimated that much of the original building material has been dispersed, leaving only 10 to 30 percent of the original stone at various points. Furthermore, the remaining materials vary in condition, with some being intact while others are broken, degraded, or weathered due to environmental factors.

The Ministry is currently conducting comprehensive studies involving experts in conservation, archaeology, and structural engineering to manage this large-scale restoration project.