Magelang, ANTARA JATENG - Dutch minister of Education, Culture and Science, Mariette Jet Bussemaker, visited the Borobudur Temple in the district of Magelang, Central Java, on Wednesday.

The minister`s delegation arrived at the 9th Century Buddhist Temple at around 2 p.m.

Despite the rain, Bussemaker climbed up the stairs of the temple to reach the main stupa.

On the occasion, the head of Borobudur Tourism Park, Chrisnamurti Adiningrum, presented the minister with a souvenir book on "Borobudur Majestic, Mysterious and Magnificent."

Chrisnamurti hoped the visit would create a positive impact on education and tourism in Indonesia and Central Java, in particular, as well as Borobudur as the region`s tourism icon.

Before walking up to the temple, the Dutch minister`s delegation visited Borobudur Conservation Service Laboratory, which is located within the complex.

The head of the service, Marsis Sutopo, said that non-chemical materials have been used to build the temple to prevent damage to the temple`s stones.

"Since 2000, we have appealed to the UNESCO not to use chemical materials and therefore, we have used natural materials," he stated.

He affirmed that his office would continue studying the use of natural materials to prevent the growth of moss on the temple`s stones.