Prambanan Temple Strengthens Disaster Mitigation Two Decades After Earthquake

Two decades after a devastating earthquake struck Yogyakarta, the management of the Candi Prambanan temple complex is reinforcing its disaster mitigation systems. The cultural heritage site sits directly on the active Opak fault line, prompting stricter regulations for visitors to ensure the preservation of its ancient structures.

The 2005 earthquake caused severe damage to the temple complex, notably collapsing key structural components of the Siwa Temple. This led to significant structural damage, including a tilting of the main temple body.

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Candi Prambanan, as a destination, needs to be a space for disaster preparedness education because it has experienced it directly.

Indung Purwita Jati, Director of Operations at InJourney Destination Management and manager of Candi Prambanan, emphasized the importance of disaster education at historical sites. "Candi Prambanan, as a destination, needs to be a space for disaster preparedness education because it has experienced it directly," Jati stated on Saturday, May 26, 2026.

Jati explained that physical restoration of the structures was completed shortly after the earthquake without total demolition. To maintain the site's condition and ensure spiritual and physical safety, strict visitor screening is in place. Limiting the number of visitors on the temple structures is not intended to deter tourism but to protect the aging stone.

Warning signs are posted throughout the complex, cautioning visitors against actions that could damage the delicate stone construction. "We also provide signs at every corner, for example, that you must not cause movements that cause damage, because the temple construction is quite fragile, meaning there are special stones that should not be carelessly burdened or even touched carelessly," Jati said.

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We also provide signs at every corner, for example, that you must not cause movements that cause damage, because the temple construction is quite fragile, meaning there are special stones that should not be carelessly burdened or even touched carelessly.

Small damages to one part of the temple could potentially spread and cause larger problems due to the interconnected nature of the structure. Jati assured that no part of the world heritage site has been completely dismantled or rebuilt during the long-term maintenance process. "So far, no structure has been rebuilt, only repaired," she stated.

As part of disaster reflection events, an earthquake preparedness drill and a large-scale equipment display were held at Candi Prambanan. Jati noted that the management collaborates with several institutions for emergency response training, involving ten high schools in the Yogyakarta Special Region. From January to May 2026, approximately 1,000 high school students from five regencies and cities in Yogyakarta have participated in disaster resilience education.

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So far, no structure has been rebuilt, only repaired.