Kiskendo Cave is a historical cave located 35 KM northwest from downtown Yogyakarta at the mouth of Mount Menoreh, Jatimulyo Village in Kulon Progo regency. It is situated more than 800 meters above sea level, which gives a rather mild atmosphere and a beautiful panoramic view of natural green lands and countryside nuance.

According to local residents, there are two versions related to the formation of Kiskendo Cave. The first one points that it was founded by a hermit in the name of Ki Gondorio in the 1700s. One day the hermit, who was also the caretaker of the cave, dreamnt of entering a cave that resembles a kingdom. In that dream, he was given a vision to name the 15 rooms of the cave. After waking up from his sleep, he named the 15 rooms in the cave according to what was given in the vision. The second version points that the existence of the cave originated from the epic wayang folktale of Ramayana. According to the story, once upon a time there was a kindom named Kiskendo Kingdom, which was ruled by a king named Mahesosuro. That kingdom was believed to be located at the same location of the cave. The relation to the story emerged because of the carved relief at the mouth of the cave, which displays a scene from the epic folktale.

Apart from the stalagmites and stalactites clinging on the roof of the cave, it is believed that the cave treasures a well known legend about the fight between Mahesosuro, Lembusuro and Jathasuro against Sugriwo and Subali. As described previously, Kiskendo Cave contains 15 rooms each with a different name according to that from the folktale. They are :

1. Lidah Mahesosuro : or tongue of Mahesosuro, which displays a rock that possesses a tongue. Reputedly, the rock was believed to be the tongue of King Mahesosuro which was cut by his arch enemy, Subali, to prevent him from coming back to life.

2. Pertapaan Ledek : a meditation site for and advance career in art

3. Pertapaan Santri Tani : a meditation site for and advance in the agriculture field

4. Pertapaan Subali : a place where Sebali used for meditating before his battle against Mahesosuro and Lembusuro (the ox-headed man)

5. Sumelong : a hole that penetrates to the top, which according to myth was used by Subali to escape from the cave because the entrance was blocked by Sugriwo.

6. Lumbung Kampek : a place to store valuable goods and treasures of the Kiskendo Kingdom.

7. Selumbung : the food shed of Kiskendo Kingdom.

8. Gua Seterbang : a part of Kiskendo cave that is connected to the south sea

9. Keraton Sekandang : the center of Kiskendo Kingdom. The place where Subali fought against Mahesosuro and Lembusoru.

10. Pertapaan Kusuman : a meditation site for high human degree

11. Padasan : the water source of Kiskendo Kingdom

12. Sepranji : the livestock center of Kiskendo Kingdom

13. Babat Kandel : a batch of rocks that resembles the human intestines. Reputedly, it was the intestines of Mahesosuro which was discarded by Subali.

14. Sawahan : a place to plant paddies

15. Selangsur : the place where Kiskendo soldiers fought against Subali

Apart from the 15 rooms inside Kiskendo Cave, there are other natural tourism sites adjacent to Kiskendo Cave. Some of them are Sumitro Cave (around 50 meters away), Grojogan Sewu (a 20-meter high waterfall), Watu Blencung (an old stone 250 meters abouve the cave, and Gunung Kelir (a limestone which is shaped like a sail ship).

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