Yogyakarta is a city in Indonesia well-known for its famous recreation place. One of the fascinating tourism places in Yogyakarta, Indonesia is Taman Sari Water Palace. This place is rich with the historical background. Placed in the South of Malioboro, the best famous shopping place in Yogyakarta, Taman Sari is frequently visited by foreign or domestic tourist. Taman Sari is known for its old building complex consists of several room, pools, and tunnel.
Taman Sari building complex has European architecture as the architect certainly made several travel to Batavia before to learn Europe architecture. The first place to visit is usually the Bathing Pool called Umbul Pasiraman. In the past time, the Sultan would enjoy his time in a high storey building. The Sultan would watch the women swam in the pool before requested one of them to accompany him in the inner room. The next interesting building is Sumur Gumuling. The building is a tunnel that has one storey. This tunnel circles a well (means Sumur in Javanese language) that is in the center and there are nooks in some of the spots.
This building used to be a place to pray for the Moslem and the well was for those who required to clean themselves. There are four staircases to the upper level which are united in a platform before lead to the upper level in one staircase. The tunnel was also used to be under water for there was a very big lake made for the recreation of the Royal family. So the tunnel was under the lake. There is a legend that the tunnel connects to the Java Sea where, according to the myths, Nyi Roro Kidul, the queen of the sea believed to be the Sultan’s mythical wife for generation.
The final interesting building is the area of Kenongo Island. It was, actually the starting point if people wanted to go to Taman Sari in the past. This area, in the past, was a very big lake. There was a building for transit in the center. To approach this building people would need a vessel. However, besides going by vessel, you could go to the high building through tunnel.
These days, you can’t see the lake anymore for the water has been drained and it is now full with settlements who sell baju batik (Indonesian) and paintings. But, you can go up to the top of the building and see Yogyakarta town from here, imagining it was a big lake. You can imagine that you’re a member of the Royal Family and enjoy your time in the middle of a big lake.
However, you be able to still be entertained due to a range of batik can shop there. Traders provide a variety of bajubatik , kaos batik (Indonesian), batik bags, batik dresses, etc. with low price and you can take home as souvenirs.