Pendhapa

[citation needed] The Dutch writer, Multatuli, in his colonial reformist novel, Max Havelaar, described the pendhapa thus: "After a broad-brimmed hat, an umbrella, or a hollow tree, a 'pendoppo' [sic] is certainly the most simple representation of the idea 'roof'.

The oldest surviving images of ancient Javan vernacular architecture appear in Borobudur reliefs, among others the stepped roof type pendhapa.

They once sheltered the institutions of ancient Javanese kingdoms, such as law courts, clergy, and palaces, and for public appearances of the king and his ministers.

Similar structures also can be found in 14th century Trowulan dated from Majapahit era, where square brick bases with umpak stones suggest that some pendopos once stood there.

The pendhapa with faithful Majapahit brick-base style can be found in 16th-century Kraton Kasepuhan, Cirebon, as well as 17th-century Kota Gede, Yogyakarta.