Taman Sari, Yogyakarta Water Castle

On Christmas holidays in 2011 I went to Yogyakarta. I was going to Fort Vredeburgh and Taman Sari Water Castle at first. Although I often pass through those two sites when in Yogya, but I've never been come inside. But, at this time I just had Taman Sari Water Castle to visit. Might be next time I'll come inside to Vredeburgh Fortress if I come back to Yogya. Taman Sari Water Castle is not far from the Kraton of Yogyakarta (Sultan's Palace), you could walk from Kraton to the South. Entrance ticket is only 3,000 rupiah for a local tourist while for foreign tourist is 7,000 rupiah.

Originally Taman Sari is a pennant (springs) used by Prince Mangkubumi (Sultan Hamengku Buwono I) to determine the establishment of Ngayogyakarta palace in 1755. Then Taman Sari was built in 1758-1765, as the project leader is Tumenggung Mangundipuro which the costs borne by the Regent of Madiun. As compensation, Region of Madiun was exempt from paying taxes. Taman Sari building is acculturation of European Portuguese, Hindu, Javanese, and Chinese culture due to the architect is a Portuguese who known as Demang Tegis by the local people. (wikipedia)

Most people only know that Taman Sari is only a pool building for bathing for royal family at the first era, which also known as Umbul Pasiraman. The bathing pool is surrounded by high walls, there are two gates. One section on the west whiles other on the east which is now used as the entrance gate to the Taman Sari area. But apparently, Taman Sari was quite extensive at the beginning, consisting of about 10 acres of buildings, swimming baths, hanging bridges, water canals, artificial lakes, artificial islands, including underwater passages.

The buildings was scattered in several places. Some of the buildings are connected by underwater hallways "tajug". Name of Taman Sari itself means beautiful garden, intended as a building that can be used to calm the soul, take a rest, and recreation. Besides that, Taman Sari was also prepared as a bastion of the palace in the face of danger

 

One of the artificial islands in Taman Sari is Pulo Kenongo (Ylang-Ylang Island) which Gedhong Kenongo (Ylang-Ylang Building) is in here. It was used as a banquet place. To the south of it there is Pulo Cemethi (Whip Island) as a Sultan's place to meditate. From Gedhong Kenongo it can be seen the whole city of Yogyakarta and when the sky is clear there is Mount Merapi in the north side. In the west side of Pulo Cemethi there is a Well of Gumuling, a circular-shaped building was formerly used as a mosque. The circular architecture makes the priests voice sounded good to all of directions. In the Well of Gumuling there are 4 stairs from different directions which converge to one stair heading to the second floor which symbolize the creed, prayers, fasting, and alms. While that one stair which heading to the second floor symbolize do the pilgrimage if capable (five pillars of Islam).  At the bottom of those stairs there was a well that is used to take an ablution before pray.

 Taman Sari in 1999 (www.tembi.org)

There are so many buildings in Taman Sari which incomplete anymore, especially after the Yogyakarta earthquake in 2006, but now Taman Sari had started experiencing a lot of repairs and renovations. Whereas, the prior of year of 2000, every time I passes through this place it looks unkempt buildings with many moss-blackened bricked walls which impressed so mystical . But currently, the very most visited and the most known to take photographs in Taman Sari is swimming bath pool.