Its origin is shrouded in obscurity but it seems to date from around the 8th century when Java was dominated by two leading social groups, one Buddhist and one Hindu. Possibly due to volcanic activity it lay virtually hidden from the world until almost 200 years ago when Sir Stanford Raffles took pains to rediscover its secrets; only recently has it been restored to its original glory.

The colossal scale and unusual structure makes this building deserving to be included among world wonders; it is not a temple in the usual sense with a hall area or roof, rather a multi-level structure of galleries and terrances. The lower levels are decorated with reliefs showing aspects of daily life, the world of desires; continuing further the reliefs change in subject to show legends of the life of Buddha; at the highest levels the imagery disappears and the visitor is confronted with rows of respectively 64, 32 and 16 stupas - bell-shaped perforated stone structures each containing an image of the Buddha in meditation. The higher stupas are constructed to make it more difficult for the casual visitor to see the image inside. At the centre and highest part of the monument is a large, unperforated stupa which is hollow but cannot be entered.

Like the historical facts, the spiritual significance has also been the subject of much speculation, but the analogy of a hierarchical progress away from the world of matter and desires towards the ultimate mystery of Buddhahood is clear to see. It is believed that adherents of the belief were trained in the doctrines and disciplines and their admission to the higher levels was regulated on a basis of their spiritual progress.

9 May 1999

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