Borobudur as a World Heritage Site

Borobudur, the world's historic monuments in Indonesia

Borobudur temple is the largest monument of the world's Buddhist Hindu heritage. Borobudur is located in Magelang regency, Central Java province, Indonesia (40 km northwest of Yogyakarta). In Indonesia, this monument called Candi Borobudur

Borobudur was built during 75 years in the 8-9 century AD at the time Sailendra under the empire of Srivijaya, and was completed in 825 during the reign of Samaratungga.

This monument is in a big renovation in 1973 that was helped by the UNESCO funds of $ 3 million and need times 3 years, then this monument is used as a shrine and the shrine of the Buddhist religion. The building is decorated by 2672 reliefs and 504 Buddha statues. A main dome, located in the center of the platform above, surrounded by 72 Buddha statues seated inside perforated stupa.

Borodudur name was first written by Governor General Thomas Stamford Raffles in English, in the reign of England in the years 1811-1816 after the Anglo-Dutch Java War. Boro comes from the Bore, the name of the nearest village, and Budur means Buddha, in the modern Java language.

Borobudur attracted attention in 1885, when Yzerman, Chairman of the Archaeological Society in Yogyakarta, make discoveries about the hidden foot. The photographs showing the reliefs on the hidden leg was made in 1890-1891. This discovery led the Dutch East Indies government to take steps to protect the monument.

In 1900, Dutch government established a commission consisting of three officials to assess the monument, Brandes, an art historian, Theodoor van Erp, a Dutch army engineer officer, and Van de Kamer, a construction engineer from the Department of Public Works.

In 1902, the commission was to submit plans tripled from a proposal to the government. First, the immediate danger to be avoided by resetting the corner, remove the stones that endangered the adjacent parts, strengthening the first balustrades and restoring several niches, arches, stupas and the main dome. 

Second, the fence of the yard, provide proper care and improving drainage by restoring floors and spouts. Third, all loose stones should be removed, the monument is cleaned up to the first ledge, stone removed and disabled the main dome restored. The total cost is estimated at that time around 48,800 Dutch guilders.

Restoration then carried out between 1907 and 1911, using the principles and led by anastylosis Theodor van Erp. The first seven months of restoration occupied by digging the soil around the monument to find missing Buddha heads and panel stones. Van Erp dismantled and rebuilt three circular platforms and stupas over.

Along the way, Van Erp discovered more things he could do to improve the monument, he submitted another proposal that was approved with the additional cost of 34,600 guilders. At first glance Borobudur had been restored to old glory.

Because of limited budgets, restoration has primarily focused on cleaning the sculptures, and Van Erp not solve the drainage problem. In fifteen years, the gallery walls are sagging and the reliefs showed signs of new cracks and deterioration. Van Erp used concrete from which alkali salts and calcium hydroxide leached and transported into the rest of the construction. This causes some problems, so that further thorough renovation was needed.

Minor restoration has been done since then, but not sufficient for complete protection. In the 1960s, the Indonesian government has asked major renovation of the international community to protect the monument. In 1973, a grand plan to restore Borobudur was created. 

The Indonesian government and UNESCO then perform a thorough overhaul of the monument in a big restoration project between 1975 and 1982. The foundation is stable and all the 1460 panel is cleared. This restoration involves the demolition of five square platforms and improved drainage by embedding water channels into the monument. Both impermeable and filter layers are added. Colossal project involved around 600 people to restore the monument and the cost of U.S. $ 6,901,243.

After the renovation is complete, UNESCO listed Borobudur as a World Heritage Site in 1991.