Istana Air Tamansari ( Tamansari Water Castle)

Tamansari Gate

Tamansari is an ancient structure that was built in the 18th century, approximately in 1758 in the reign of Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono I. Tamansari is derrived from word Taman which means Garden, and Sari means Fragrant or Essence, this place is named for their frangrance of the flowers that is planted around the garden.

Tamansari Gate

Tamansari is a recreation place for The Royal Family. But functionally it also become a place for the Sultan to meditate. This place also used by The King’s wife and concubines to make a Batik (Javanesse Clothing). Some other sources explain that this is also a place to practice a combat strategy and military fortress that has a secret hiding place. An old article described it as a "water castle" as by shutting the watergates, the complex would be completely immersed in water, leaving tall structures standing out.

Inside of Tamansari

Tamansari divided by four area, with 59 buildings, there are large artificial lake in the west, bathing complex, mosque and meditation chambers in the center, 18 water gardens, pools and a complex of pavilions on the south, and smaller lake in the east. Tamansari has 2 main Gates, there are Gapuro Agung in the west, and Gapuro Panggung in the east which become the entance to the complex at the present day. Both gate has its own beautiful ornaments of birds shape and flower foliage. On the western gate there is a Sengkalan Memet, marks the year with Javanesse word. Lajering Kembang Sinesep Peksi “Birds gathering pollen of the flowers”, means Javanesse year of 1691 or 1765 AD. It shown from the reilef around Sengkalan Memet describing birds siphoning honey from flowery trees.

The beauty of Tamansari

Tamansari covered large area as the artificial islands around the lake are connected through the underground canal which are still visible right now, but unfortunately during Java War in World War II, some of the building are destroyed and the lake bed is drained and only the bathing complex in the center area is well preserved until now, the lake area are now occupied by settlement of Kampung Taman, Kampung means Village, Taman means Garden, so it means The Village near the Garden. About 2700 residents are wellknown for their tradition of making Batik Clothing and other painting handicraft who has been passed through generations.

Underground passage in Tamansari

Tamansari Water castle is approximately 500 m to the south from Keraton Yogyakarta. There are several transportation available like Becak (threecycle) or Andong (Horsewagon), as walking also not far and there are a lot of souvenir retailer along the way, and from there visitors will passed through the biggest birds market in Yogyakarta called Pasar Ngasem. People from around the country come here to sell or buy their birds collection. Some unique bird might cost as expensive as a unit of luxurious car.

Unique architecture of Tamansari

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